Lovely childcare

[For 0-year-olds] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on bonding play and traditional nursery rhymes

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherDr. Chick
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherRisa Shibata
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

Music has a mysterious power: when you sing, a baby may suddenly stop crying, drift off to sleep, or show you a lovely smile.

It’s said that listening to music from a young age can boost concentration and support language development.

Let’s incorporate plenty of soothing music into daily life for your baby and actively stimulate their five senses.

This time, we’ll introduce recommended songs, interactive play, and traditional nursery rhymes for 0-year-olds.

We’ve gathered many warm and cheerful songs.

Gaze into your baby’s eyes, show hand and mouth movements, and gently touch their body as you enjoy the music together.

[0-Year-Olds] Recommended Songs for Babies: Special Feature on Interactive Play and Traditional Nursery Rhymes (31–40)

Tulip

Tulip (with gestures) [Japanese song / shoka]

Tulip

“Tulip” is a simple song that depicts flowers blooming beautifully and includes the three primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—in its lyrics.

With its easy tempo and pitch, it’s simple for children to learn.

While getting familiar with the song, it’s also recommended to observe real tulips in the school garden or on a walk.

It might spark curiosity about nature, such as flowers and insects.

Hopefully, it can be a chance to get to know the flower called the tulip.

If you add simple gestures while singing, children who love to dance will enjoy it too.

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Cat RocketLyrics/Composition: Masayoshi Oishi

[Songs Babies Love] Cat Rocket (Vocals: MAH (SiM)) [Video to Make Babies Stop Crying and Smile]

Cat Rocket Lyrics/Composition: Masayoshi Oishi

A bright, upbeat pop song from MAH for TV Tokyo’s infant and toddler program “Synapusyu”! Packed with humor and a heartwarming message, the track rhythmically captures the pure feelings of children.

It aired within the program for one month as the “Tsuki-uta” for March 2025, paired with adorable animation that won over children’s hearts.

Embracing the show’s concept of “fun for parents and children,” it’s a tune loved by all ages.

Enjoy a fun musical time together as a family while sharing moments of closeness!

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Tonton Tomato-chanLyrics/Composition: Rie Hamada

Tonton Tomato-chan♪ With Mommy | Baby Stops Crying | Songs Babies Love | Nursery Rhyme | Children's Song | Hand Play | Dance | With Choreography | Educational Animation

Tonton Tomato-chan Lyrics/Composition: Rie Hamada

The bright, rhythmic tune played on NHK E-Tele’s preschool program is truly charming.

This heartwarming melody, themed around hide-and-seek, is designed to spark babies’ curiosity—much like the peekaboo game “Inai Inai.

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Baa!” Its catchy, rhythmic phrases are easy to remember and packed with fun elements that parents and children can hum along to together.

First broadcast in 2009, the song was included on albums such as “Inai Inai Baa! Bun Bun Bukyuun!” As a popular track used in the show’s mini-animation segment, it’s loved by many children.

It’s a highly recommended song for creating warm moments with your child—swaying to the rhythm and clapping along together!

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Playing bus (pretend bus play)Lyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama

Bus Pretend Play (♪ We’re riding on a big bus ~ To our neighbor, hey!) by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics | Children’s Song | BUS GOKKO | Vehicle Song, Eurhythmics, Nursery Teacher Exam Set Piece 2019

Bus Pretend Play Lyrics: Yoshiko Kayama / Music: Akira Yuyama

This lively children’s song by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama captures the excitement of setting off on a trip in a big bus.

Set to a rhythmic melody, it gently portrays children enjoying pretend play with vehicles.

It’s a song you can sing while moving your hands and body, so it naturally brings smiles to children’s faces.

Long cherished in childcare and educational settings, it’s also used as a play song.

With spring outing season approaching, why not sing it together as a family before a walk or a day out? If everyone enjoys it while keeping the beat, it will surely create wonderful memories in children’s hearts.

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Song of a little birdLyrics by Junichi Yoda / Music by Yasushi Akutagawa

Kotori no Uta [Children’s Song] Lyrics: Junichi Yoda / Music: Yasushi Akutagawa / With choreography / With lyrics /

Kotori no Uta Lyrics by Junichi Yoda / Music by Yasushi Akutagawa

This piece, which gently captures the chirping of little birds, warmly embraces the hearts of young children.

Jun’ichi Yoda’s lyrics and Yasushi Akutagawa’s music blend beautifully to bring to life the image of small birds living in nature.

The onomatopoeic words in the lyrics spark children’s imaginations and make singing delightful.

Since its debut in 1954, this song has remained beloved in kindergartens and nursery schools, making it perfect for entrance ceremonies.

It helps ease the anxiety of children facing a new environment and is sure to turn their nerves into smiles through song.

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[For 0-year-olds] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on interactive play and traditional nursery rhymes (41–50)

somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

[Baby 👶 Delighted] “Somen (cold noodles)” Summer bonding play 💓 0-year-olds 😻 So fun! They laugh 😽 ♪ Let’s enjoy playing with baby! [Parent-child, nursery, kindergarten] Stops crying

somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

This is a baby massage song performed by stroking the body in time with the lyrics “Somen somen tsuru-tsuru.” By varying the sensations—like flowing somen, three-color somen, poured-over somen, and chilled somen—you’ll likely bring out your baby’s smiles.

Because there are no big movements and it involves gentle strokes while the baby lies down, it can be done safely from the newborn stage.

By adjusting the intensity of stimulation, toddlers can enjoy it too.

Look closely at your child’s face and touch them gently.

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Mickey Mouse March

Hug-and-play for 0-year-old babies—super popular! Mickey Mouse March

Mickey Mouse March

Set to the famous Mickey Mouse March, this is an interactive song where you ask your baby, “Where is your head?” After asking, gently tap and show them with the feeling of teaching: “Here it is, here it is, it’s right here.” You can do this with any body part—tummy, cheeks, bottom, and so on.

At the end, ask, “What’s your name?” and lovingly say their name.

You’ll see your child beaming with a big smile when they hear their own name!

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