Songs we want to sing at the graduation ceremony! A special feature on moving, heart-touching preschool graduation songs

Until the day we meet againyuzu

Mataaeruhimade

Songs that convey both the sadness of parting and the hope for the future are perfect for graduation ceremonies and thank-you gatherings, aren’t they? Yuzu’s 14th single, released in October 2002, is a song truly fitting for such moments.

Chosen as the ending theme for the TV Asahi anime Doraemon, it has been loved by people of all ages.

The song has the background of Yujin Kitagawa crafting the lyrics together with children he met while camping, and its simple, straightforward words are deeply moving.

Built around acoustic guitar with a bright sound, it’s enhanced by handclaps and call-and-response, creating a sing-along atmosphere.

Rather than saying “goodbye,” it carries a message of promising to meet again, making it a great choice when you want to express gratitude to teachers and friends.

Thank you, teacher.Sakushi Sakkyoku: Fujimoto Chika

[Graduation Song] Thank you, Teacher — A Surprise Gift at the Appreciation Party

One song for children to express their gratitude to kindergarten and nursery school teachers: “Thank you, Sensei.” It’s a song where you can freely swap in lyrics like the teacher’s name, how many years you spent together, and things you played together.

Including memories the children actually experienced and the names of the teachers they interacted with will make the moment even more moving.

We recommend practicing this song in secret and surprising the teacher by singing it on the day! There are plenty of places to include teachers’ names, so be sure to include the names of all the teachers who took care of you.

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SAKI

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Goodbye with thanksSakushi: Miroku / Sakkyoku: Nakamura Nobuyuki

[Classic Song] Farewell with “Thank You” ♪ [Shimajiro Channel Official]

“Thank You for Our Farewell,” sung by the well-known Shimajiro and Mimirin from Kodomo Challenge.

The lyrics, written from a child’s perspective, express gratitude to the kindergarten and nursery school that offered so many experiences and play—not a goodbye of “see you,” but a heartfelt “thank you.” Saying “thank you” instead of “goodbye” at graduation lets you feel the joy of growing up as you move on to first grade in elementary school.

Singing together with the beloved Shimajiro to the teachers and friends who took care of you seems like a wonderful way to graduate with smiles.

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Yuuko.S

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Goodbye for today.Lyrics/Composition: Shoichi Kaneko

Goodbye for today.

Parting from the teachers and friends you’ve spent time with is hard, isn’t it? “Kyo no Hi wa Sayonara” carries both that sadness and a message of overcoming it and meeting again somewhere someday.

The piece is by composer Shoichi Kaneko.

It’s not only a standard song for graduation season, but it’s also been used as an insert song in various anime.

Because of that, many children are likely to know it.

Since it contains many unfamiliar words, I hope you’ll first go through the lyrics’ meanings with the children before singing it.

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yamamoto

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The treasure we found togetherSakushi Sakkyoku: Saegusa Chihiro

The Treasure We Found Together (Graduation Song for Preschool/Kindergarten)

Ms.

Chihiro Saegusa is currently active as a member of “NUTS,” an organization that connects with children and the community through music.

This song was written by Ms.

Saegusa for her class when she was working as a nursery school teacher, as part of her wonderful activities.

The lyrics are exactly the kind that only a teacher who has been watching over the children since they first enrolled could write.

Nice friendKeroponzu

Nice friend

Time spent with friends is a treasure that can’t be replaced.

This collaboration between Keropons—hugely popular among children—and Tomohiko Fujimoto is a warm number that directly expresses the joy of meeting and the happiness of laughing together.

It carries a positive, gentle message that makes you truly think, “Friends are wonderful.” Released in July 2012 on the album ‘Chokotto Asobi Daisakusen!,’ the song has long been loved by many teachers and children, even being featured as a Hall of Fame song on the childcare information site Hoick.

During graduation season, singing it while looking at your dear friends’ faces will fill your heart with joyful memories of your time at the preschool.

It’s also a perfect choice to bring everyone together at a farewell party.

Time capsuleMINMI

MINMI – Time Capsule

A song written by singer-songwriter MINMI—also known for the graduation tune “Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So in Pink Caps”—for her own child’s preschool graduation, “Time Capsule,” is filled with the feeling of wanting to say “thank you” to everyone who has cared for them.

In the official video, it’s sung together with choreography created by the children.

It’s a very gentle song that’s sure to fill the graduation ceremony with emotion! It’s a shame the CD isn’t currently available, but if you can pick out melodies by ear, please give it a try.

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sasashina

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Goodbye Marchkowase tamami

[Children’s Song] Farewell March (with Lyrics) / Lyrics by Tamami Kowase, Music by Takao Takai, Composition by Shiro Hayakawa, Arrangement / Kindergarten Graduation・First Graders / Piano, Sing and Play

Sayonara March is a lively, classic graduation song with lyrics by Tamami Kowase, who is also known as a picture book author.

You can almost see the children marching, waving to their friends against a dazzling backdrop of sky and clouds.

Instead of dwelling on the sadness of parting, it wonderfully portrays graduation as a bright send-off into a new world.

Even as the farewell words are repeated, the lyrics move forward in step with the rhythm, making you want to give the children a gentle push on their backs.

Released in October 2010, the album “Best Graduation Songs for Kindergarten” and many other graduation commemorative albums have featured this beloved track.

Ceremonies can feel a bit solemn, but with this song that ends in smiles, let’s watch over the children as they set off with hope in their hearts!

Our Songhinata onee-san

Children’s song [Our Song] With singing and choreography

This is a warm song that reflects on children’s unmistakable growth as the seasons change.

The lyrics, proudly singing about their past and future, will give confidence to children standing at the major milestone of graduation from preschool.

Written by Toshihiko Shinzawa and composed by Hirotaka Nakagawa, this masterpiece is covered by Hinata Onee-san, also known as a former singing host from Shimajiro.

The choreography video released in March 2021, with its bright, expansive vocals and careful demonstration, has become popular in many early childhood settings.

Because the choreography expresses the meaning of the lyrics through movement, it’s perfect not only for graduation ceremonies but also for daily childcare, where teachers and children can sing while moving together.

Thank you, goodbye.NEUTRINO

Thank You / Goodbye — Song: NEUTRINO (with lyrics)

First broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in February 1985, this has become a standard song for graduation season.

Composer Wakako Fukuda is said to have created it with the hope of making “a masterpiece that lasts 100 years.” The lyrics carefully express gratitude to friends who laughed together, the classrooms and desks we ran around, and the teachers who sometimes scolded us.

It’s a gentle, slow-tempo ballad with a melody that naturally conveys emotion even through children’s simple voices.

The cover version by NEUTRINO features the distinctive stability of AI singing synthesis, making it useful for practice as well.

It’s a highly recommended song for conveying “thank you” to teachers at a preschool graduation ceremony.