Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended for sports day performances and dances! A collection of classic and popular songs

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.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

Sports Day, the once-a-year event that’s also a special occasion to feel the children’s growth!

It’s an important event for parents and teachers too.

Here, we’ve gathered a variety of recommended songs to make the games and dances even more exciting.

From classic favorites to theme songs from anime kids love, and even tracks that adults can enjoy together—we’ve got a wide range of genres.

Use the videos as a reference and come up with choreography that perfectly matches the kids’ personalities!

Find the best song to light up Sports Day, and let both children and adults have fun!

[Childcare] Recommended for sports day performances and dances! Classic and popular song collection (81–90)

Ebi KanicsKeroponzu

Ebi Kanix / Keropons [Official Music Video]

Ebi KanicsKeroponzu

“Ebikanics” is a lively number by Keropons, a Japanese music duo that creates songs and routines for children, including gymnastics and dance.

This unique song is about shrimp and crabs that live in the sea.

Its lyrics are delightfully playful, and the energetic choreography makes it great fun, so it’s widely used at events like school sports days.

While brainstorming a children’s aerobics piece, Keropons associated the sound of the word “aerobics” with “ebi” (shrimp) and “kani” (crab), and combined them to come up with the title “Ebikanics.” The cheerful, movement-filled dance—much like aerobics—is hugely popular with kids.

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Donsuka Panpan Cheer SquadYokoyama Daisuke / Mitani Takumi

[Donsuka Panpan Cheer Squad] With Mother—Complete Choreography Version! Yoko Ueno

Donsuka Panpan Cheer SquadYokoyama Daisuke / Mitani Takumi

“Donsuka Panpan Cheer Squad” is a popular song—even at sports days—featuring the fun onomatopoeia donsuka-panpan that evokes loud drumbeats and clapping.

This bright number cheers on everyone giving their best at the sports festival, and its choreography is a lot of fun and highly recommended.

The big, expressive moves—mixing in classic cheer-squad gestures—are unique.

Be bold and dance with spirit! When little children dance their hearts out to cheer, it will surely get everyone fired up.

For the handclap sections, get the whole audience involved.

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Shimajiro Ondo!

Shimajiro Ondo! [Shimajiro Channel Official]

Shimajiro Ondo!

It’s a fun ondō that makes your heart dance along to an energetic rhythm.

Born in March 2018, this song carries messages about the spirit of challenge, a sense of adventure, and the importance of life.

Children’s curiosity and positive lyrics are sung in Shimajiro’s gentle voice.

It’s used in the dance segment and ending of the TV show “Shimajiro no Wao!” and is loved by children at concerts and events nationwide.

There’s choreography that kids can dance to as well, making it a sure hit at nursery and kindergarten events! It’s a perfect song for parent-child bonding time or whenever you want to get moving together with children.

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I am the strongest.Ado

[Ado] I’m the Strongest (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

I am the strongest.Ado

A cool anime song I’d like to introduce is “I Am the Strongest.” It was written by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE as an insert song for the film ONE PIECE FILM RED and sung by Ado.

Set to an up-tempo, intense sound, the lyrics boost your self-esteem.

Overall, it has a stylish, rock vibe that will get you hyped and fired up even during practice.

The sound clearly alternates between calm and explosive sections, so try to keep that in mind as you work on it!

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Yo-kai Exercise No. 1Dream5

Yo-kai Watch: Yokai Exercise No. 1

Yo-kai Exercise No. 1Dream5

The ending theme of a TV anime, sung by Dream5 and beloved by both children and adults, is creating a buzz.

This work charms listeners with its fun, upbeat style that portrays everyday little happenings—like oversleeping or being picky about food—as the doings of yokai.

Their 12th single, released in April 2014, was a tie-in with a TV Tokyo anime, and with choreography by Lucky Ikeda, it became a huge topic among children.

It’s a song that kids can enjoy moving their bodies to together, with easy-to-learn choreography that makes it a hit at nursery and kindergarten events.

It’s also recommended for parent-child recreation and as a dance for sports days.

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primary colorsYOASOBI

YOASOBI “RGB” Official Music Video

primary colorsYOASOBI

If you dance to a song themed around friendship, it might be a chance to reaffirm your bonds.

With that in mind, the piece I’d like to introduce this time is “Sangenshoku.” It’s a song YOASOBI wrote, inspired by the novel “RGB.” Set to a stylish, pop sound, it portrays reunited friends reaffirming their friendship.

There’s even a rap part in the middle, and with its many key changes that dramatically shift the mood, it’s perfect for when you want to incorporate movements from various genres.

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[Childcare] Recommended for sports day performances and dances! Collection of classic and popular songs (91–100)

DoraemonHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Doraemon (Official Video)

DoraemonHoshino Gen

Doraemon, a favorite among many children, is also highly recommended.

This is a song Gen Hoshino wrote specifically for the feature-length Doraemon film of the same name.

It’s also well-loved as the opening theme for the TV series, and its playful, comical words that evoke the world of the anime will lift listeners’ spirits.

Since many sections repeat the same notes throughout, choreography with clapping or small, rhythmic movements would suit it well.

I’d be happy if kids could feel the joy of moving their bodies to the fullest!

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