[Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs
When the rainy season ends, summer finally arrives! Here, we’ll introduce a variety of children’s songs to help you enjoy the season.
We’ve gathered songs that kids love, as well as hand-play songs often sung in nurseries and kindergartens.
Listening to these songs will make you look forward to the long-awaited summer even more.
Hand-play songs are also fun for little ones, so be sure to incorporate them into your childcare activities.
While the days will be getting hotter, some children’s songs can make you feel cooler just by listening.
Enjoy a fun-filled summer together with the children!
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[Childcare] Summer songs. Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & hand play songs (71–80)
rainfallsakushi: kitahara hakushū / sakkyoku: nakayama shinpei
Even if the title “Amefuri” doesn’t ring a bell, once you hear the tune you can probably sing along right away, don’t you think? It’s the kind of song that could make even a rainy day—when you’re really feeling blue—seem fun.
The part that imitates the sound of rain is especially memorable, isn’t it? But in fact, it seems that Hakushū Kitahara, who wrote the lyrics, embedded a sad story in this song.
If you’re curious, listen closely to the lyrics all the way through verse five.
aye-ayeSakushi: Aida Hiromi / Sakkyoku: Uno Seiichirou
A children’s song called “Ai Ai” features an animal named the aye-aye, a cousin of monkeys.
Since aye-ayes live on the hot southern island of Madagascar, it’s the perfect song for the hot summer season! The lyrics introduce the aye-aye’s characteristics, so it might be fun to look it up in a picture book or encyclopedia while singing.
Even very young children who aren’t used to talking much yet can sing it easily, so try singing it while imitating monkey movements!
Summer MemoriesSakushi: Ema Akiko / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao
As the lyrics say, when summer comes, the Japanese summer song that springs to mind is surely “Natsu no Omoide” (Summer Memories).
Many people probably sang it in chorus back in junior high school.
It appears in music textbooks, too, and it’s no exaggeration to call it a summer song deeply etched in the hearts of the Japanese.
“Natsu no Omoide” was released in 1949, with lyrics by Akiko Ema, famed for works like “Hana no Machi,” and music by Yoshinao Nakata, known for “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa” and “Medaka no Gakkō.” It’s truly a piece born from the exceptional talents of these two creators.
water playSakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro
It was included in the Kindergarten Song Collection published in 1901.
Using colloquial lyrics to create nursery songs for young children was considered groundbreaking at the time.
With its simple and short lyrics, it’s a song that even little children can enjoy clapping and playing along to.
Story Finger
Something kids are sure to love! Here are some ideas for “Ohanashi Yubisan.” On hot summer days, you probably spend more time indoors, right? We recommend using “Ohanashi Yubisan” as an introduction before physical play, picture books, or craft activities.
Children will be captivated by the movements and singing of teachers or parents, and their attention will naturally gather.
Another nice benefit is that they can learn the names of their fingers while playing! Give it a try.
The fish jumps.
A refreshing hand game! Let me share some ideas for “Sakana ga Hanete” (Fish Jumping).
When you think of summer, many people probably imagine watersides like rivers and the sea, right? This is a unique fish-themed hand game you’ll want to use before fish-related crafts or dances.
Before starting the game, it could be fun to ask the children how they would react if a fish suddenly jumped—boing!—out of the water.
In this playful activity, fish hop onto different parts of the body and stick there, then keep transforming one after another—such a unique hand game!
Happy Children
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.