A collection of classic nursery rhymes and hand-play songs for September! Enjoy autumn with your child through songs.
With the refreshing autumn breeze comes a cool season filled with children’s smiles.
During such delightful autumn days, why not incorporate songs and fingerplay that are perfect for the season into life with the children? In fact, there are many children’s songs for September that gently depict autumn scenes, such as ginkgo leaves, chestnuts, and moon-viewing.
Here, we will introduce a wide range of songs that will be useful in September childcare—from pieces that express autumn landscapes like moon-viewing and autumn foliage to fingerplay songs.
Be sure to find songs that let you enjoy the season together with the children while experiencing the ambiance of autumn.
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- Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
A collection of classic nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs for September! Enjoy autumn with your children through song (51–60)
Insect sounds
Listening to insects chirp is one of the pleasures of autumn.
Some of you may have even learned the insects’ names from this song.
By the way, insects that chirp in autumn generally belong to the suborder Ensifera (katydids, crickets, etc.).
This video features the version sung by Benesse characters Shimajiro and Torippi.
Momi-momi Momiji
This is a hand-play song about bright red maple leaves that color the autumn season.
When you walk under a maple tree, leaves sometimes fall onto your head, right? This song is about gently kneading and rubbing the maple leaves that land and stick on your body—like your head or cheeks.
It’s a very simple hand-play song where you actually touch with your hands and do the “momi-momi” rubbing motion.
If you stick real maple leaves on and play together with friends, the fun doubles!
peach, apple, pear, pineapple
A hand game song that uses fruits loved by children lets them learn while having fun.
In this song, kids move their bodies to a rhythmic tune themed around autumn harvests like peaches and apples.
The lyrics are simple, but the way you pretend to have eaten the fruits and gradually leave them out makes it a playful activity that helps build children’s memory and concentration.
Often used in nurseries and kindergartens, this hand game is perfect for children around ages 3 to 5.
Why not include it in autumn events or daily childcare and have everyone sing and play together? It’s a lovely song that helps kids learn fruit names while also feeling the change of seasons!
A squirrel is digging a hole.
When you think of autumn, many people might picture a cute little squirrel with its cheeks puffed out.
“Risu wa Ana Hori” is a hand-play song that depicts a squirrel hiding acorns in holes to prepare for winter.
With its gentle melody and picture book–like storytelling, it’s perfect for autumn strolls or childcare activities.
It’s also nice that it’s a simple hand-play with easy-to-remember moves inspired by a squirrel’s adorable motions.
If you’re looking for a cute autumn hand-play activity, give this one a try.
September Nursery Rhymes & Fingerplay Classics! Enjoy autumn with your kids through songs (61–70)
Acorn picking
In places where there are oak trees, acorns fall in such numbers in autumn that they cover the ground.
Children are great at finding acorns because they’re closer to the ground.
The weather is pleasant in autumn and it’s easy to play outside, so how about going for a walk and picking up some acorns while you’re at it? Acorns are edible, and there are fun toys you can make with them, too!
Shopping at the bakery
Here’s a fun hand-play song for autumn: “Buying Bread at the Bakery”! In this game, players split into customers who buy bread and shopkeepers who sell it.
The customers shop while naming the breads they want.
Can the shopkeepers sell all the requested breads without making a mistake? It’s a hand-play song that kids love—give it a try!
Village Festival
Here is a children’s song that perfectly captures the feel of “classic old Japan.” It’s a piece included in the 1912 publication Standard Elementary School Songs, and it depicts an autumn harvest festival.
The festival music sounds described in the lyrics evoke scenes of traditional Japanese festivals.
It’s also interesting that about half of the lyrics are filled with onomatopoeic festival chants.
Since the scenes in the lyrics reflect older times, many children today might find them hard to understand.
It’s a good idea to sing it together while explaining the traditions of old festivals.
