Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with

Great Cold, Little Coldwarabeuta

[Children’s Song] Oh, Cold, So Cold

This song is a traditional children’s folk tune that expresses the cold of the Japanese winter.

It’s characterized by a simple, familiar melody, and children often sing it while playing—perfect for sensing the changing seasons.

The lyrics vary slightly by region, but all convey the severity of winter.

How about singing it with your family on a cold day? If you huddle together as you sing, it will surely warm your hearts.

Loved for many years as a winter tradition, it’s a piece that can be enjoyed across generations.

January 1stSakushi: Senke Sonpuku / Sakkyoku: Ue Shingyō

♪ January 1st (with choreography) [♪ Japanese Song / Shoka]

“Ichigatsu Ichijitsu” is the quintessential song that always plays on New Year’s TV programs—a piece that symbolizes “The Japanese New Year.” Many people hear it and think, “Ah, it’s New Year’s,” savoring the start of the year.

The lyrics are filled with auspicious imagery like kadomatsu decorations and the first sunrise.

By the way, how do you pronounce the title “一月一日” in your head? The official readings are actually “Ichigetsu Ichijitsu” or “Ichigatsu Ichijitsu.” Tuck this little tidbit into your New Year’s small talk!

Ticotin, the winter fairyNEW!Sakushi / Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa

Ticotine, the Winter Fairy [Hand Play / Play Song] Lyrics & Music: Tsubasa Suzuki, Kazuto Ozawa ♪ Tickle Play

Do you know a perfect song for parent-child bonding that warms the heart in the cold season? It’s a play song you can enjoy with tickling games while imagining a winter fairy casting magic.

Move your body to the mysterious, magical-sounding words, and you might just forget the cold.

Created by Tsubasa Suzuki and Kazuto Ozawa, this piece is included on the album “Arigatou no Aoi Sora [Blue],” released in June 2016.

Packed with playfulness in a short track, it’s handy for kicking off activities at nurseries and kindergartens, or for filling small pockets of time.

Tickling play that brings out children’s laughter is also perfect for indoor fun on chilly days, don’t you think?

fluffy snowNEW!teasobi

January hand game “Fluffy Snow♪” (with lyrics) – a winter hand play that childcare workers and moms and dads recommend, and that children love! Nursery rhyme & Japanese children’s song

Here’s a unique hand-play song that’s perfect for the winter season, letting you enjoy the chill of snow and delicious food all at once! “Fluffy Fluffy Snow” is a tune where you gather the snow falling from the sky and, keeping the rhythm, make an adorable snowman.

The playful lyrics, which imagine parts like the eyes and mouth as mandarins and strawberries, spark children’s imaginations.

Released in May 2019 as a hand-play activity recipe, the song spread through word of mouth in childcare settings and via videos, and has become widely used as an introduction to winter craft activities.

If you turn it into a panel theater activity, you can have fun creating all kinds of expressions with the children, and it also helps them learn the names of vegetables and fruits! How about keeping warm indoors during the cold season while everyone sings and plays together?

snowSakushi: Mukasa San / Sakkyoku: Fushou

[Children's Song] Yuki ya konko – kids' song, nursery rhyme, Minna no Uta, Japanese song. ♪ Yuki ya konko, arare ya konko ♪ Melody Line

“Yuki” (Snow) has been sung by many people since the Meiji era.

This children’s song describes scenes like snow falling and piling up, and a dog rejoicing as it watches.

Its charm lies in how the lyrics convey the excitement of a fresh snowfall.

Why not sing it with the hopeful feeling, “I wish it would pile up soon”? Another lovely point is the depiction of timeless, beautiful imagery—such as fields turning white—that has been praised for generations.

What kinds of pictures will children imagine as they sing this song?

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little snow monkNEW!Sakushi: Murayama Toshiko

@bombomacademy

Yukinoko-bōzuHand games#Fingerplay SongWinter songnursery rhymeChildren's songChildren’s song#kidssong#Nursery school#Kindergarten#nurseryrhymes#japaneseculture#Bonbon AcademyIchinaruIcchi-naru

♫ Original Song – BonBon Academy – BonBon Academy

Let us introduce a song that likens snowflakes drifting down from the sky to cute little characters.

With lyrics by Toshiko Murayama, it humorously personifies snow as it falls onto roofs, slides, ponds, and more—only to melt away.

In fact, this song uses the same melody as the well-known hand-play tune “The Itomaki Song.” The melody is said to originate from a Danish folk song, and records show it was included in a Japanese songbook published in May 1957, indicating it has been sung for many years.

It has also become established as a play song with actions that match the lyrics, making it perfect for recreational activities in nurseries and kindergartens.

On a cold day, if you look out the window and sing it while moving your bodies together as a parent and child, it’s sure to warm both your hearts and bodies.

TroikaNEW!Roshia min’yō

Troika (winter nursery rhyme / school song)

A rhythm that seems to dash lightly through a snowy landscape feels like it could blow away the winter chill.

This piece is a delightful Russian folk song, evoking scenes of racing across a silver world and a melody where you can almost hear sleigh bells jingling.

In Japan, it has been loved for its cheerful character since around 1952, but locally it’s a historic song whose existence has been documented since about 1901.

After it was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in December 1961, it appeared in music textbooks and has continued to be cherished across generations.

Its exhilarating tempo makes it perfect for ringing bells and playing together with children, or singing indoors as if you were on a sleigh ride! How about humming this classic tune with your family—a song that warms you up even on a cold day?