Childcare: Today's recommended fun songs

Big SongNEW!Sakushi Sakkyoku: Nakajima Kōichi

Big Song ♪ It’s a big song, from beyond that mountain — Lyrics & Music by Koichi Nakajima — My Big Song

Its hallmark is a “call-and-response,” echo-like style where you sing along by trailing the lyrics, making it easy for children hearing it for the first time to start humming right away.

With expansive words like sky and dream, it carries a warm message perfect for an entrance ceremony that wishes for growth ahead.

Written and composed by singer-songwriter Koichi Nakajima, the song was broadcast on NHK’s program Minna no Uta in June 1979.

It was later included in music textbooks and has long been cherished in educational settings.

The teacher sings first, and the children imitate, naturally creating a sense of unity even in the often-tense setting of a ceremony.

It’s a recommended springtime song for new beginnings, gently giving a push to children stepping into a new world.

The Root of the HeartNEW!sakushi sakkyoku: Minami Yume

Kokoro no Nekko_0001.wmv

This piece, written and composed by Yume Minami, who has extensive experience in childcare and early childhood education, expresses children’s growth as the accumulation of small daily changes, with the hope that these build the emotional foundation that will support their future.

Included on the album “Columbia Kids: Songs for the First Journey—Graduation Songs,” released in November 2016, it has become a staple for kindergarten graduation ceremonies.

However, its theme of cherishing first friends and new encounters also makes it perfect for entrance ceremonies and the start of a new school year.

It is a classic springtime song that beautifully marks new beginnings, ideal for parents and teachers to sing as they wish for the healthy growth of the children ahead.

Children all over the world

♪ If all the children of the world (with gestures) If all the children of the world laughed at the same time ~ ♪ [Hand-play/Children’s song]

Why not dance energetically to the song “Sekai-jū no Kodomo-tachi ga,” whose lyrics wishing happiness for children around the world are truly moving? You can have fun with simple choreography—march in place while swinging both arms, or hold hands with your friends.

Choreography using sign language is also popular, so this is a great chance to try a sign-language dance.

If you slow the tempo a little, it also works well for a chorus.

Please feel free to use it for a variety of recreational activities.

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sasashina

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Green light from the blue sky

Blue Sky Go Sign [Together with Big Sister] Together with Dad

Known as a song from “With Daddy,” “Blue-Sky Go Sign” is a lovely track that gives the impression that once you take the leap, there are wonderful days waiting under the blue sky.

The blue sky feels like the start of a fun time, doesn’t it? It’s a song that’s enjoyable just to sing, so how about singing it while keeping rhythm with castanets or a tambourine? It also works great as a dance number—with lively choreography, it’s perfect for events like sports days.

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sasashina

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Picnic

♪ Picnic <with gestures> Let's go over the hill while whistling a tune ~ ♪ [Children's song]

With its lively, energetic rhythm, “Picnic” is a sprightly song that makes you want to start walking.

Ducks, goats, dogs, and pigs appear in the lyrics.

Try singing while imitating their animal sounds! If you ask the children what sounds each animal makes before singing, they’ll be able to enjoy the song more while understanding its meaning.

Since it’s a song about heading to the fun place that is a picnic, sing it brightly and cheerfully with the children.

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mayumi

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Oh, the ranch is green.

Oh, the pasture is green — oh, the pasture is green; over the sea of grass the wind blows~ (with gestures)

Let’s move our bodies to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for “Oh, the Meadow is Green.” These ideas are perfect for summer, when the weather is nice and the air is crisp.

They’re especially recommended if you’re thinking, “What song should we sing this month?” or “I’m looking for something with a good rhythm!” The song “Oh, the Meadow is Green” is the Japanese version of the folk song “Ach, synku, synku”/“Ach, krásná louka” (often known in English as “Ah, Lovely Meadow”), which has been sung for a long time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

By adding some choreography, you can enjoy engaging with the music even more.

Happy Children

♪ Happy Children – ♪ It's the mysterious power of magic ~ [with choreography] [Toshihiko Shinzawa & Hirotaka Nakagawa] [Super popular on TikTok!]

It’s sure to bring a smile! Let me introduce the idea of “Happy Children.” When the temperature stays high, both adults and kids tend to get tired easily.

Many of you are probably thinking about activities that incorporate exercise to help build stamina.

How about using “Happy Children” as a warm-up before activities like jump rope or tag? The lyrics and rhythm are perfect for children, and since it has choreography too, it should help lower the risk of injury compared to jumping straight into exercise.