Lovely childcare

[1st Birthday] Perfect songs for kids’ celebrations—great for birthday parties and videos

[1st Birthday] Perfect songs for kids’ celebrations—great for birthday parties and videos

Last updated:2025/5/27

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

A first birthday is a truly special moment!

To celebrate the joy of your child’s growth, why not brighten the birthday with lovely music and a heartfelt movie?

Fun songs and gentle melodies will make those smiles and memories even more wonderful.

Dance and sing together with friends and family, and enjoy a delightful time.

Be sure to celebrate with beautiful music and photos that reflect your baby’s first year of life.

May the birthday be the best day ever, filled with music and memories!

1st Birthday Celebration Songs (1–10)

If only you were here so I could hold you.miwa

miwa 'If You Were Here So I Could Hold You'

If only you were here so I could hold you.miwa

This is a song like a letter to my beloved child who is turning one.

No matter what happens from now on, I’ll always be by your side… that’s what it means to be a parent, isn’t it? Along with words for my child, it feels like I’m reaffirming my own resolve and love as a new parent.

The journey from your birth to your first birthday surely wasn’t an easy one.

Even so, a child who shows us their growth every day is more precious than anything.

On this celebratory day, listen to this song and look back on the year you’ve walked together with your little one.

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Yoshizaki Keiko

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To the children’s futureKetsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “To the Children’s Future” (2018 at MetLife Dome) Short Ver.

To the children’s futureKetsumeishi

From a parent’s perspective, this gentle yet powerful song captures both the hope we feel for our beloved child’s future and the frustration of wondering what we can do for them.

It speaks in the parents’ own words about their deep love, making it a perfect song to give to a child turning one year old—and to the mom and dad marking their first year of parenthood.

It’s a piece that lets you truly feel and appreciate having made it through a challenging year of childcare and seeing your child grow safely.

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Yoshizaki Keiko

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May it be filled with kindnessJUJU

JUJU 'So That It Overflows with Kindness'

May it be filled with kindnessJUJU

This is one of JUJU’s signature songs, performed on NHK’s music program “Live Yell: Now Is the Time to Cheer with Music,” broadcast on August 8, 2020, moving many listeners.

Released in 2009 as a rock ballad produced by the renowned producer Seiji Kameda, it is known as a song that holds deep meaning for JUJU herself.

Singing of unconditional love, the song also resonates as a parent’s love for their child.

I sincerely hope that everything surrounding my child will continue to be filled with gentle light.

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BatonKobukuro

Kobukuro “Baton” Image Movie

BatonKobukuro

Kobukuro’s “Baton” is a song that beautifully portrays the connection of life.

Its warm melody and heartfelt lyrics make it perfect for celebrating a child turning one.

The line “Someday, you too will have a time to pass it on to someone” conveys a love that flows from parent to child and into the future.

Released in April 2018, the song was also used in an Ono Pharmaceutical commercial.

Playing it as background music at a birthday party or in a video can make this important first milestone even more memorable.

Why not listen together as a family and let your thoughts turn to the future ahead?

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Untitled TodayHirai Dai

Hirai Dai / Untitled Today (Lyric Video)

Untitled TodayHirai Dai

Hirai Dai, who has released many popular songs such as “Stand by me, Stand by you.” and “Mata Au Hi Made,” put out this track, “Namenonai Kyou” (A Day Without a Title), in 2021.

The song celebrates the beauty of ordinary days where nothing special happens.

Listening to it on your child’s first birthday may bring back memories of the whirlwind of days you’ve experienced so far.

It’s a song that makes you realize anew that every moment of this past year was happiness—something to treasure.

And surely, the days ahead with your child will be filled with many unassuming joys as well.

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I won’t forget.D-51

Official: D-51 “I Won’t Forget” MV [Ver.1]

I won't forget.D-51

A song broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in February–March 2018.

The moment a child is born, the first time they smile, the first time they walk on their own… Parenting is full of the joy of these kinds of “firsts,” isn’t it? This is a song that lets you relive those happy times.

Raising children isn’t always easy, but this song will help you savor once more the joy of watching a child grow.

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From your momHatsuda Etsuko

Etsuko Hatsuda 'From Your Mom' Solo Performance – Daughter! Happy 12th Birthday!

From your momHatsuda Etsuko

“From Your Mama” is Etsuko Hatsuta’s debut single, released in 2009.

It’s a song in which a mother’s love for her child is conveyed through gentle music and straightforward lyrics.

Hatsuta, a mother of two herself, writes of the swelling affection during pregnancy, the stumbles and regrets of inexperienced parenting, and the way she grows stronger little by little, coming to love her child from the bottom of her heart.

A baby’s first year—turning one—is truly special.

As you look back on this past year, let this song help you reaffirm your love for your child.

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