Songs we want to sing at the graduation ceremony! A special feature on moving, heart-touching preschool graduation songs
For children about to graduate from preschool, we want to leave them with the most wonderful memories.
Many teachers may be searching for tear-jerking graduation songs with that wish in mind.
When you put feelings of gratitude and the joy of growth into song, it resonates deeply not only with the children but also with their parents.
Graduation songs with warm lyrics and gentle melodies are essential elements that add a moving touch to the ceremony.
Here, we introduce unforgettable masterpieces.
The time spent singing together with the children will surely become an irreplaceable treasure!
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- Songs of Thanks That Touch the Heart: Ideas to Give to Teachers at the Preschool Graduation Ceremony
- I Want to Sing at the Kindergarten Seniors’ Recital! A Collection of Moving Song Ideas That 6-Year-Olds Can Sing with All Their Heart
- [Graduation Ceremony] Tear-Jerking! A Collection of Farewell Words and Message Ideas
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- [Thank You] A classic song expressing gratitude to one’s parents. A number loved across generations.
- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
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- Thank you, Teacher: A Song of Gratitude for Teachers and Mentors — An Emotional Farewell Song for the Journey Ahead
- Choral songs that captivate 4-year-olds! A collection of heartfelt song ideas for junior kindergarten recitals
- Ensemble Performances by Older Kindergarteners Heat Up! A Collection of Recommended Song Ideas for Recitals
- [Touching] Entrance/Exit Songs for Graduation Ceremonies: Classics & the Latest BGM
Songs to Sing at the Graduation Ceremony! A Special Collection of Moving, Heartfelt Graduation Songs (21–30)
Song of ThanksSakushi Sakkyoku: Miyata Saori
A song that evokes the children’s journey from enrollment to graduation is “Arigatou no Uta” (“The Thank-You Song”).
It was written and composed by Saori Miyata.
The lyrics reflect the children’s memories—from their anxious early days right after entering kindergarten or daycare to the time when they gradually began to enjoy themselves.
With a melody that is both wistful and warm, it’s perfect for graduation ceremonies.
It’s a song filled with sincere feelings for friends and parents that we’d love the children to sing as they stand on the threshold of a new beginning.
It’s also recommended to project photos behind the children as they sing and reminisce about their memories.
Thank you · GoodbyeSakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
A timeless graduation song that was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1985: “Arigatou Sayonara” (“Thank You, Goodbye”).
As the title suggests, it sings of gratitude and farewell to friends, teachers, and the classroom where so much time was spent.
What’s amazing is that even though the word “graduation” doesn’t appear in the lyrics, the moment you hear it, you can’t help but think of it as a graduation song.
As you sing it, memories of all those moments come flooding back—bringing both a touch of sadness and a sense of pride.
It’s a true classic.
Even when (you/it) grow(s) upsakushi sakkyoku yuri tarou
The long-beloved kindergarten and graduation song “Even When We Grow Up.” The songwriter and composer, Yuzuri Taro, is actually named Jo Nakayama, and he worked as a teacher, personally sending off graduating students.
Because this piece was created by someone who felt a special emotion about parting with children, it resonates deeply with graduates and may be impossible to sing without tears.
There’s also a well-known story that Nakayama cried during the recording of this song.
BelieveLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi
Believe, a song also known as the ending theme of NHK’s “Ikimono Chikyū Kikō” (A Journey of Life on Earth), was written and composed by Ryuichi Sugimoto, the composer famed for signature works like “Tomorrow.” This piece is often sung at graduation and preschool commencement ceremonies.
While many graduation songs look back on the past, this one encourages you to face forward and keep moving on.
It tells us that someone is always by your side, watching over you—and that this warm feeling becomes a source of strength.
Until we meet againyuzu
This is “Mata Aeru Hi Made” by Yuzu, the folk duo of Yujin Kitagawa and Koji Iwasawa.
The song was conceived and created together with children who participated in an adventure camp organized by Kitagawa.
It’s nice how cheerfully they say “Until the day we meet again,” so that parting doesn’t feel sad.
Song of ThanksShido Fujiko
It’s so important to teach preschoolers about the feeling of “thank you” and to help them experience it.
This “Thank You Song” is a piece overflowing with gratitude that lets children sing many expressions of thanks.
Hearing the preschoolers sing the thank-you lyrics together in unison is truly moving.
Do Re Mi Fa So in a pink hatMINMI
With “Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So in a Pink Hat,” it’s easy to adapt the song into your own original lyrics.
This piece was written by singer-songwriter MINMI specifically for a preschool graduation ceremony.
The lyrics have a counting-song feel, looking back on nine memories.
There are many parts where you can insert teachers’ and friends’ names to sing.
It could be a great way to surprise a teacher with a message of thanks through the song.
You can also arrange it so the teacher calls out the children’s names while singing.
My TreasureLyrics/Composition: Tomoyuki Seki
“My Treasure” is a song that conveys gratitude to friends who always played and sang together at kindergarten or nursery school.
Tomoyuki Seki, who has experience as a childcare worker, wrote and composed the piece.
Warm vocals unfold over a clear, expansive piano tone.
Because many sections repeat the same melody, even children who aren’t confident singers will find it easy to learn.
It’s a graduation song that lets children feel how, though they understood nothing when they first enrolled, by the time they graduate their hearts are filled with memories of dear friends.
Let’s have the children sing these gently resonant phrases that touch the heart.
Sparkle, sparkleSakushi: Rico / Sakkyoku: Makino Kanami
Kirari Kirari depicts the growing excitement about moving on to the next stage of schooling.
It was planned by Shinken Zemi’s Elementary School Course, with lyrics by Rico and music by Kanami Makino.
It’s also nice that they’ve made it easy to use for graduation ceremonies—for example, the audio can be downloaded online.
In addition, a video with animated visuals and on-screen lyrics has been released, so children can practice while watching it.
The lyrics are thought-provoking as well, so it could be fun to discuss with the kids what “Kirari Kirari” means.
Always togetherboku to kimi.
This is a graduation song by Boku to Kimi that delivers memories of kindergarten life and hopes for the future on a gentle melody.
It tells, from a child’s perspective, of days spent holding hands with friends, moments of leaning on their teachers, and gratitude toward parents.
Rather than dwelling on the sadness of parting, it carries a positive message that “even if we’re apart, our hearts are connected,” making it a piece that brings not only tears but smiles as well.
Included on the album “Minna de Asobou! Ei Ei Oh!” released in September 2015, it also comes with karaoke tracks and sheet music arranged for children’s vocal ranges.
It’s the perfect song for expressing thanks to teachers at a graduation ceremony.
The sight of children standing in a circle, holding hands as they sing, is sure to become an unforgettable memory.