Songs of Thanks That Touch the Heart: Ideas to Give to Teachers at the Preschool Graduation Ceremony
You want to express your gratitude to the teachers through song at the graduation ceremony, but you’re not sure which song to choose… Does that sound like you? In that case, we’re introducing graduation songs with warm lyrics and melodies that are perfect for children’s voices.
Each song is full of memories from the days spent with the children and the excitement of the journey ahead.
Both teachers and children are sure to share a truly memorable time.
Please use this as a guide and let your singing carry your feelings of gratitude!
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Songs to Say Thank You That Touch the Heart—Ideas We Want to Give Our Teachers at the Preschool Graduation Ceremony (31–40)
Everyone is friendssakushi sakkyoku: nakagawa hirotaka
After graduation, some children may end up attending different elementary schools.
But surely this song will keep their bonds connected for life.
Written by Hirotaka Nakagawa, a singer-songwriter from Saitama Prefecture, it was aired on the children’s program “Hirake! Ponkikki” and has since been widely sung at preschools and kindergartens across Japan.
In 1998, a picture book of the same title was published by Doshinsha, making it a work in which the book and the song together reach children’s hearts.
As it looks back on a year spent at the school, the lyrics carry a message that we can remain friends even when we’re apart—moving even for adults.
Its bright, gentle melody suits children’s voices perfectly, and singing it naturally brings out the feeling that “the days we spent together are treasures.” How about singing it together with the children at the graduation ceremony to express your gratitude to the teachers?
right?Lyrics and Composition: Hayumi Takahashi
It’s a warm song that celebrates the happiness of being together with family and friends.
The chance coincidences that let us share the same moments with someone may feel natural, but they’re actually very precious.
This song conveys that feeling directly, with simple, heartfelt words.
Originally, it won an Excellence Award in a camp song contest hosted by the Japan Camping Association, and it has been sung for many years at campfires and similar events.
After it was released on CD by Columbia in November 2007, it spread as a standard song for kindergarten graduation ceremonies.
Although its lyricist and composer, Hayumi Takahashi, passed away in 1997 at the age of 28, the song has continued to be sung by many children.
The lyrics, which express a wish to stay together even when we’re grandparents, evoke the warmth of bonds more than the sadness of parting.
It’s a wonderful song for children to give to their teachers, and equally lovely for teachers to offer to their children.
On the Day of DepartureSakushi: Kojima Noboru / Sakkyoku: Sakamoto Hiromi
This is a classic song for expressing gratitude at graduation ceremonies and is sung at many kindergartens and preschools.
The lyrics were written by Noboru Kojima and the music composed by Hiromi Sakamoto.
It began in March 1991, when it was performed as a gift to graduating students at a junior high school in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.
Words like “big sky” and “wings” leave a strong impression, evoking the image of children taking flight into a new world.
In 2007, SMAP performed it in an NTT East commercial, which made it even more widely known.
With lyrics that convey gratitude to teachers and a resolve to set off while cherishing memories with friends, it’s perfect for the important milestone of graduation.
The teachers who have watched the children grow will surely be moved to tears.
Flowers will bloom.Sakushi: Iwai Shunji/Sakkyoku: Kanno Yoko
Released in May 2012 as a song supporting recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, this piece features lyrics by Shunji Iwai and music by Yoko Kanno.
Written from the perspective of someone who has passed away, the lyrics speak gently to the loved ones left behind, resonating deeply.
As the seasons turn, flowers bloom, and life continues to live on in memory, the song quietly depicts a world where loss and hope softly intersect.
It was repeatedly broadcast as the theme song for NHK’s reconstruction support project “Ashita e,” and its collaborative video with figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu also drew wide attention.
Sung at a preschool graduation ceremony, it naturally overlaps with gratitude for the days spent with the children and prayers for their journey ahead.
When sung with heartfelt feelings for the teachers, a warm afterglow will spread throughout the venue.
It will be sunny tomorrow.Sakata Osamu
This is “Ashita wa Hareru,” a staple song for graduation season written and composed by singer-songwriter Osamu Sakata.
Its lyrics are memorable for gently supporting the wavering hearts of children about to graduate, encouraging them to remember their friends especially when they feel sad or want to cry.
Broadcast in March 1999 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, the piece was created to coincide with the graduation of the show’s then “big brother” and “big sister” singers.
The message that hearts remain connected even when apart warmly encourages children as they set out into a new world.
Why not sing it together with teachers and parents at the graduation ceremony or thank-you party, cherishing those precious memories?
We want to give this at the preschool graduation ceremony! A collection of heartfelt “thank you” song ideas for teachers (41–50)
La la la, I love it.Takada Satoshi
Here is an inspiring song that delivers heartfelt gratitude while reminiscing about days spent with friends and teachers.
Composed by Satoshi Takada, who has experience as a nursery teacher, this piece features a warm melody and a straightforward message that resonates deeply.
It carries the hope that even when you part from your beloved friends, your hearts remain connected, making it perfect to sing during the season of graduation or moving up a grade.
Included on the album “Rocket Crayon no Oyako de! Hoiku de! Mainichi Asobi-tai!” released in September 2014, it has now become a staple graduation song cherished by many preschools.
When children join their voices to the piano accompaniment, the entire venue will be filled with a warm atmosphere.
How about singing it at recitals or graduation ceremonies to express gratitude to parents and teachers?
Friend ~Time of Departure~Sakushi Sakkyoku: Kitagawa Yūjin
When you want to express your gratitude to teachers during graduation season, Yuzu’s “Friend: The Time of Departure” is a perfect choice.
Released in September 2013 as their 38th single, it was also selected as the required piece for the middle school division of that year’s NHK National School Music Competition.
It has been repeatedly broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and is beloved by people of all ages.
Its warm melody carries a message that even when we are apart, we can support each other as long as we keep one another in our hearts.
The bond with the teachers who have watched over the children will continue even after graduation.
Why not let the children convey that feeling through their singing? It will surely create a wonderful moment that touches the teachers’ hearts.