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!
- Songs we want to sing at the graduation ceremony! A special feature on moving, heart-touching preschool graduation songs
- 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
- Thank you, Teacher: A Song of Gratitude for Teachers and Mentors — An Emotional Farewell Song for the Journey Ahead
- I want to sing it at the senior class recital! A choral piece that 5-year-olds can sing with all their heart
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Ideas for Performances at Thank-You Parties! Fun for Both Parents and Children
- Nursery/Kindergarten: A Collection of Performance Ideas for Thank-You Parties — Heartfelt Presentations That Touch Teachers
- [Graduation Ceremony] Tear-Jerking! A Collection of Farewell Words and Message Ideas
- Heartwarming surprise ideas that will excite kids at daycare and kindergarten
- A floral wall to brighten up the kindergarten graduation ceremony! A collection of fun-to-make ideas
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- Graduation Ceremony: A Collection of Surprise Ideas That Will Move Both Adults and Children
- Handmade Messages for Teachers at Graduation: A Collection of Ideas to Express Your Gratitude
- [Graduation Party] A Collection of Surprise Ideas That Will Touch the Hearts of Teachers and Children
We want to give this at the preschool graduation ceremony! A collection of heartfelt “thank you” song ideas for teachers (41–50)
Calendar MarchSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
A classic song that has been loved for many years, it sings about the changing seasons with a lively rhythm.
The lyrics, which run from the snows of January to the winter scenes of December, vividly bring back happy memories from kindergarten life.
Its warm message—like a call to say, “Let’s meet again next year”—gently encourages children and makes the graduation season deeply moving.
Since it aired on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in 1973, it has been widely cherished.
Lyrics by Takao Ide and music by Wakako Fukuda, it is also included on albums such as “Haruno Uta HiHiRecords Season Best,” released in February 2009.
This piece looks back on the year and inspires hope for the future.
If sung together with teachers and parents at graduation ceremonies or year-end events, it will surely create a heartwarming time.
Songs to Say Thank You That Touch the Heart—Ideas to Gift Your Teachers at the Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony (51–60)
Even when (you/it) grow(s) upYamano Satoko
If you’re looking for a song to perform at a year-end recital for children about to graduate from kindergarten, how about this heartwarming message song? Its lyrics—recalling the many times kids argued with friends, made up, and how those everyday moments are proof of their growth—are sure to bring listeners to tears.
Sung by Satoko Yamano and Kazuho Hatsumi, the piece was included on the album “Graduation Best Songs,” released in October 2010, and has been passed down and sung at many preschools and kindergartens.
One of its charms is the call-and-response structure between the children’s parts and the parts sung by teachers or parents.
It’s filled with warmth—there’s even an anecdote that the songwriter was moved to tears during the recording.
Why not showcase it at the graduation ceremony or thank-you party, along with the children’s growth?
Thank you, goodbye.NEUTRINO
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.
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.
The First StepSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
Graduation from kindergarten is an event that marks the beginning of a completely different life starting the very next day.
Entering elementary school changes everything, so some children may feel anxious.
This is a warm-hearted graduation song that you’ll want to give to such children.
With lyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa and music by Hirotaka Nakagawa, it was released in 1987.
It begins with a scene of morning arriving along with birdsong, and gently depicts children stepping forward into a new day.
Even for adults, finding the courage to take that first step can be difficult, right? At times like that, this song might just blow away the fog in your heart.
It’s also included on the album “Dai 1-shū Sekai-jū no Kodomo-tachi ga,” credited to Tora ya Bōshi-ten and Toshihiko Shinzawa, and has long been loved in childcare settings across Japan.
It’s a perfect song not only for graduation ceremonies, but also for entrance ceremonies, farewell gatherings, and any moment that marks a fresh start.
Bloom, bloom, the flowers of dreamsroketto kureyon
This is the song that brings warm, moving tears at graduation ceremonies where you can feel the children’s growth.
It depicts how each child’s small dream held in their heart will one day bloom into a magnificent flower, conveying the message that every joyful moment and tearful experience in their kindergarten life has shaped who they are today.
Included on the album “Harmony to the World,” released in July 2014, the piece was created by Rocket Crayon, a duo of former nursery teachers.
Gentle yet uplifting, its lyrics liken the children stepping forward into the future to blossoming flowers, resonating deeply with parents as well.
Highly recommended for teachers who want a song for the children to sing at graduation that will fill the entire venue with warm emotion.