Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season

motherSakushi: Tanaka Nana / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao

Mother (Lyrics by Nana Tanaka / Music by Yoshinao Nakata) I Nostalgic Children’s Song • For Mother’s Day

The children’s song “Okaasan” (Mother), perfect for Mother’s Day, sings about a kind mother.

The child tells their mother she smells nice and realizes that the scent comes from the household chores she does every day for them.

A mother filled with such lovely scents deserves nothing but gratitude! How about trying to do some of those chores yourself on Mother’s Day? She will surely be happy—not only because you help with the chores, but also because she can see how you’re growing by taking the initiative.

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SAKI

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one bamboo shootwarabe uta

One whole bamboo shoot

Perfect for the spring season, this song is a traditional children’s rhyme that has been loved for generations.

It features simple lyrics and a catchy melody, and its charm lies in the way children split into “oni” (tagger) and “takenoko” (bamboo shoot) roles to play.

Because kids move their bodies while singing, it’s great for developing a sense of rhythm and cooperation.

It’s also used in early childhood education, and there are videos on YouTube explaining how to play.

Sing and play energetically outdoors with family and friends, and you’re sure to enjoy the spring atmosphere even more.

Why not raise your voices together and feel the arrival of spring?

Squeeze, squeeze, kashiwa mochi.Sakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Ozawa Tatsuyuki

A nursery classic to sing: “Kashiwa Mochi Gyuggyu” [Children’s Day, nursery music play, hand-play song]

An adorable children’s song that rhythmically depicts the fun of making kashiwa-mochi.

Its structure lets kids sing while doing hand-play motions, which naturally draws out their body movements and helps develop a sense of rhythm.

Featured in numerous early childhood education books—such as “Instant Hand-Play & Piano Accompaniment for Ages 0–2”—the song is widely used in kindergartens and nurseries.

Try singing it at home with your child while enjoying the hand-play.

And after the fun, how about some real kashiwa-mochi for a snack?

dandelionSakushi: Kadokura Satoshi / Sakkyoku: Horikoshi Kiyoshi

Dandelion [children’s song/choral piece] Lyrics: Satoshi Kadokura / Music: Kiyoshi Horikoshi — includes harmonies ♪

Here is a song themed around the dandelion, a flower that heralds the arrival of spring.

Its lyrics are striking, overlaying the sight of the dandelion blooming robustly even in harsh conditions with people’s strength to live and their hopes.

Since its release in 1976, it has spread nationwide through the singing movement and has also been cherished as a labor struggle song.

In 2000 and 2002, it was included in elementary school music textbooks, becoming established as a choral piece featured in educational settings.

The melody, gentle yet powerful, is sure to resonate with many listeners.

It’s a recommended song when you want to feel the courage to face difficulties and the bonds between people.

Bamboo Shoot ExercisesSakushi: Nakazawa Yoshihiro / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi

♪Takenoko Exercises – Daba-daba, daba-daba, dadda, papapapa, papapapa, run run~♪ (with choreography)

Featured on numerous releases, including Nippon Columbia’s album “The Best: Kids Exercise Songs,” this piece is a bright, rhythmic track themed around the growth of bamboo shoots.

Since its release in April 2006, it has remained a favorite at sports days and in early childhood activities.

The composition is by Nobuyoshi Koshube, who worked on music for NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” for 40 years, with lyrics by Yoshihiro Nakazawa.

With a comfortable tempo and easy-to-enjoy choreography, it’s perfect not only for exercise time in kindergartens and nursery schools, but also for families to enjoy moving together at home.

tea pickingbunkashō shōka

♪ Tea Picking – The 88th Night, with summer drawing near ♪ (with gestures) [Hand play • Japanese song • Shoka]

Published in 1912 (the 45th year of the Meiji era), this piece is a song that conveys Japan’s cherished traditional culture and the beauty of nature.

It gently depicts the early-summer scenery that arrives around the 88th night of spring and the scenes of tea picking, featuring a light, approachable melody.

Its rhythmical lyrics, aligned with the motions of tea picking, also carry elements of a work song.

In 2007, it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs” by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the National PTA Council of Japan, and it has been featured in various contexts such as children’s songs, anime, and TV dramas.

While tea picking may not be very familiar to people today, why not enjoy it with your children as an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture?

cherry

[Fingerplay Song] Active Nursery Teacher Demonstrates “Sakuranbon”! [With Singing and Movements]

Sakuranbon is a hand-play song themed around cherries, which are in season from May to July.

You use your hands and arms to represent cherries and keep the rhythm by swinging your arms widely from side to side.

The cherry fruits are shown with clenched fists! You can stack your clenched hands under your chin to look like a beard, place them on top of your head to imitate a bear, or stretch your arms straight out in front to show driving a car—there are lots of different poses included.

Of course, you can freely change the poses made with your clenched hands! What unique poses will the children come up with?

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yuri

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