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! Collection of classic and popular songs (91–100)

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

[MV full] Koi Suru Fortune Cookie / AKB48 [Official]

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

One of AKB48’s signature songs, affectionately known as “Koi-chun,” is “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie.” When it was released, countless people posted dance videos and it became a hot topic.

It’s now firmly established as a classic dance tune, and you often hear it as background music or for children’s sports day dances.

Its gentle, easygoing melody is simple to hum along to, and before you know it, your body starts moving on its own.

It’s the kind of song that makes people of all ages want to start singing wherever they gather—and it’s no wonder kids can’t help but start dancing to it.

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ParadiseNiziU

Elementary school WithU danced to NiziU’s “Paradise”! [Mai dancing as all nine members in a no-cut performance]

ParadiseNiziU

This is a song by NiziU, written as the theme for the 2023 film Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia.

Speaking of NiziU, their hit Make you happy sparked the “jump-rope dance” craze and became popular among children.

Since this is also a Doraemon song, many kids may already know it.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to dance to, and its lyrics about cherishing close friends make it perfect for school sports days.

There’s an official dance music video, so if you want to check the choreography all the way through, be sure to use that as a reference.

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[Childcare] Recommended for sports day performances and dances! Collection of classic and popular songs (101–110)

La La La ExercisegaagaaS

La La La Exercise with gaagaaS♪ [Childcare/Dance/Exercise/Summer Vacation/Parenting/Children’s Songs]

La La La ExercisegaagaaS

Are you familiar with the popular song “La La La Taiso,” beloved and widely used in nursery schools and kindergartens? It’s perfect for sports days and events, of course, and I think it can be put to great use in everyday childcare as well.

The song is simple, so kids will likely memorize it just by listening and dancing to it a few times.

The lyrics come with matching movements, making it very easy to follow, and you can have fun dancing while singing! Master this happy, high-energy number and liven up your sports day.

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New EraAdo

[Sports Day Dance] New Genesis / Ado (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED) / Easy Dance for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Elementary School

New EraAdo

Ado’s song “New Genesis,” the theme song of the anime film ONE PIECE FILM RED, is a lively number full of speed and energy.

It’s perfect as a dance track for sports days or school performances.

With an 80s techno-pop vibe, it’s a refreshing, powerful song with a sense of drive.

Its light, upbeat tempo makes you want to start running, matches dances well, and will definitely shine at events like sports days.

With choreography that’s easy to dance yet cool, become the star of your sports day.

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Everyone’s a star!Haisukūru Myūjikaru

Everyone is a Star! High School Musical

Everyone’s a star!Haisukūru Myūjikaru

A hit movie that gained popularity as a Disney Channel Original Movie and later won two Emmy Awards.

With sequels released one after another, it’s a must-see not only for Disney fans.

True to its musical label, the story features plenty of bright, catchy songs.

Among them, the track “We’re All in This Together” has a side-to-side rhythm that evokes a classic feel, and the clapping and other choreography match perfectly.

It would make great background music for fun sports day events like beanbag tosses or giant ball rolling.

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Sparkly Kingdom on the Cloudsshimajirou

[Dance for Sports Day that toddlers can do too] On the Shining Kingdom’s Clouds 🌈 [Kindergarten, Nursery School, Recital]

Sparkly Kingdom on the Cloudsshimajirou

With its bright, bouncy melody and captivating vocals, this song instantly captures children’s hearts.

Set in a mysterious world above the clouds, it’s packed with dreams and excitement, making any sports day dance program even more delightful.

It’s the theme song for the film “Shimajiro and the Prince of the Twinkling Kingdom,” released in March 2022, and it’s brimming with Shimajiro’s charming worldview.

The easy-to-learn choreography and upbeat, positive message resonate with children and energize the event.

The simple dance moves are designed so everyone can join in together.

It’s an exceptionally wonderful track that adds extra sparkle to the atmosphere of sports day.

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My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi

Mitakedai Kindergarten – Totoro’s Dance (from My Neighbor Totoro)

My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi

Studio Ghibli’s beloved mega-hit “My Neighbor Totoro” is another song I highly recommend.

I think even kindergarteners have seen it at least once.

Just hearing the music brings back memorable scenes: the first time they meet Totoro, the scene where Mei gets lost, riding the Catbus through the sky, and more.

It’s a slightly slow-tempo march, so it suits all kinds of dances—cute styles, gymnastics-style routines, you name it.

Lots of people have uploaded their own original dance videos, so you might find plenty of inspiration.

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