![[Childcare] Recommended for little kids! A fun round song that makes you want to sing!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n84M3FLYLig/sddefault.jpg)
[Childcare] Recommended for little kids! A fun round song that makes you want to sing!
How about trying a round, which makes singing together even more fun? Rounds, where the lyrics and melody seem to chase each other, are enjoyable both to sing and to listen to, and some of you may be thinking that you’d love for children to experience them too.
So this time, we’re introducing several rounds recommended for kids.
We’ve gathered songs that are easy even for little ones to sing and that let them enjoy the unique rhythms and harmonies of rounds—from classics many sang when they were small to songs featuring vehicles and animals that children love.
During practice, you might find yourselves getting pulled along by others now and then, but that’s part of the fun.
Enjoy singing freely together with the children in a lively, cheerful atmosphere!
[Childcare] Recommended for little kids! A fun round that makes you want to sing! (1–10)
Donguri KorokoroSakushi: Aoki Sonoyoshi / Sakkyoku: Yanada Tadashi
This song, which charmingly depicts an acorn rolling and tumbling along, is full of appeal that instantly captures children’s hearts.
After falling into a pond to play, the acorn starts to long for the mountains again—feelings that perfectly mirror children’s own pure emotions.
Born in the Taisho era, the song was included in elementary school textbooks in 1947 and has since been passed down through generations of children.
It’s an ideal piece to sing together in a circle while enjoying the autumn scenery.
Singing it with children and imagining the acorn’s feelings might be delightful, too.
rice paddleSakushi: Komiyaji Satoshi / Sakkyoku: Doitsu Kyoku
Beloved as a round (canon) themed around the rice paddle, this song charms listeners with its fun, warm atmosphere.
Through everyday utensils in its lyrics, it conveys the warmth of home and carries a message that resonates with children.
Sung as a round, the overlapping voices create a beautiful harmony.
It is also used in educational settings and is popular as a song that lets children experience the joy of music.
Singing it together with children creates a wonderful time filled with smiles.
When everyone raises their voices together, it’s sure to warm the heart.
Frog ChorusSakushi: Okamoto Toshiaki / Sakkyoku: Doitsu kyoku
Speaking of rounds, “Frog Chorus”! Surely everyone has tried singing it as a round at least once, right? It only has a first verse, and the lyrics are very simple, so you won’t spend time memorizing them and can start enjoying the round right away—that’s one of this song’s charms.
Plus, you can come in every two measures from anywhere, which makes it easy to catch the timing.
It’s truly the perfect song for your first round! Encourage the entry with a big, “Ready, go!”
I’m happy it’s spring.Sakushi: Yamazaki Iwao / Sakkyoku: Komiyaji Satoshi
Composed by Satoshi Komiyaji, this piece is a bright round that celebrates the joys of spring.
Its lyrics, which resonate with children, and its easy-to-remember melody make you feel naturally excited just by singing it.
It’s a perfect song for spring events at kindergartens and nursery schools, and it seems like it would be great fun to sing together while feeling the arrival of spring with the children.
Singing in unison as a group will make it even more enjoyable.
It’s also recommended to come up with choreography themed around springtime nature to perform while singing!
The Bear of the Forestdōyō
The lyrics for the first half, from verses 1 to 5, are all from “Forest Bear” (Mori no Kuma-san), which you can sing by echoing like a yodel! Even if you haven’t completely memorized the lyrics, encouraging children with “Try singing after the teacher!” lets them naturally memorize the words as they sing.
Plus, since it has a solid story from beginning to end, it’s fun to learn as a narrative—another great point of this song.
It might be good to have them practice singing in rounds while expanding their imagination by showing a picture book or a paper-theater (kamishibai).
A quiet lakesidedōyō
You can have fun singing “From the Shadows of the Forest by the Quiet Lakeside” with its cheerful rhythm.
Even though the lyrics differ, many children may recognize the melody because it’s been used in various commercials.
Originally a foreign song, the lyrics now sung in Japan were apparently thought up by lyricist Takihiko Yamakita at a campsite.
Let’s all try a round (canon), enjoying how the cuckoo’s call in the first verse and the owl’s call in the second verse overlap, and how the ending staggers so that the voices linger.
Come, fireflywarabe uta
The children’s song “Hotaru Koi,” with its memorable calls that evoke the gentle glow of fireflies, allows entrances at any timing—one beat late, half a measure late, a full measure late, and so on—so you can enjoy the many ways the lyrics overlap.
However, the tricky part of this round is that when the “ho, ho” calls overlap, it’s easy to lose track of your own timing.
Start by entering at a point where the calls don’t overlap, and as you get used to it, gradually bring your entrance closer.
With a bit of creativity, have fun challenging yourself with the round.