Choral songs that captivate 4-year-olds! A collection of heartfelt song ideas for junior kindergarten recitals

Ho-ho-hoLyrics: Akira Ito / Music: Nobuyoshi Koshibe

Ho! Ho! Ho! (with gestures)

“Ho Ho Ho” is a song you can enjoy singing while swaying to the rhythm and moving your arms and legs energetically.

Encourage children to sing the chant-like parts with lots of energy, and aim for a bouncy feel in the other sections; giving specific tips for each part will help them notice how their singing can change.

Because the song spans a wide vocal range, it’s also perfect for practicing pitch awareness.

Guide them with imagery they can easily grasp, such as, “Let’s try for a higher voice here,” or “This part should feel a bit gentler.”

To the Sun in the Palm of Your HandLyrics by Takashi Yanase / Music by Taku Izumi

♪ With hand palms to the sun [with gestures] - We’re all alive, and because we’re alive, we sing 〜 ♪

“The Palm to the Sun,” a truly national children’s song with lyrics by Takashi Yanase, the creator of the hugely popular anime Anpanman, and music by the great Showa-era composer Taku Izumi, is definitely one of the pieces we’d love the kindergarten seniors to sing.

Amazingly, this song has recently been covered by artists like Fumiya Fujii and Hitomi Shimatani.

With lyrics along the lines of “Hold your palm up to the sun as if to see through it, and it’s as if you can see your own blood—being alive is wonderful,” it’s an eternal life-affirming anthem beloved by all.

We’d love to incorporate the gesture of holding hands up to the sun into the stage direction.

It’s a highly recommended song that the audience can hum along to together.

Teacher and friendsLyrics by: Osamu Yoshioka / Music by: Nobuyoshi Koshibe

Sensei and Friends by Himawari 🌻 / With Lyrics | Children's Song for Starting School and Moving Up a Grade | Sensei to Otomodachi | Let’s Make Friends with Your Teacher

“Sensei to Otomodachi” (“Teacher and Friends”) is a friendly song that portrays the warm relationship between a teacher and children.

It describes how trust is built through fun interactions like handshakes, greetings, and staring contests.

With simple lyrics and an easy-to-remember melody, even four-year-olds can enjoy singing it.

Singing it together at the start of a new term or when entering preschool—holding hands and clapping along—can help ease anxieties about a new environment.

It’s a heartwarming song that can spark good relationships with teachers and friends.

I’ve grown up! I’m off!

Enrollment Support Song: “I’ve Grown Up—Off I Go!” [Shimajiro Channel Official]

This is a cheer song that gently sings, over a tender melody, the mix of excitement and anxiety children feel as they step into a new environment.

Produced by the Shimajiro Channel, well known from the early childhood program “Kodomo Challenge,” it vividly portrays the scene of starting preschool with shiny yellow school bags and brand-new uniforms.

It warmly expresses both a sense of self-affirmation—children feeling glad to have been born—and gratitude toward those who have supported them so far.

Popular not only for entrance ceremonies but also for practice during school events in early childhood settings, it’s a song that naturally invites children to sing together.

Sing it with your kids and make your send-off moment a cherished memory.

I want to ride a vehicle.Yuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata

I Want to Ride a Vehicle♪ With Mother | With Lyrics [Babies Delighted, Stop Crying, Laughing Dance, Song, Japanese Children’s Songs] Educational/Developmental for Infants and Toddlers covered by UtaSuta

A lively, vehicle-themed song has arrived! Sung by Yuichiro Hanada and Tamaa Nagata, this fun melody features 20 uniquely charming vehicles making their appearances one after another.

Its up-tempo, rhythmic style layered with light, friendly vocals makes it an irresistibly catchy track that will have you swaying along.

The broadcast began in November 2024, and the song is also included in the songbook “Takaromono” as of April 2025.

It’s a piece that children who love vehicles will adore—and parents can enjoy together with them.

Open your imaginations with your child and take flight into the world of all kinds of vehicles!

Everyone Is Special

Benesse English Concert: Let's Sing and Dance in English! Everyone Is Special [Shimajiro Channel Official]

This song carries a message that nurtures children’s self-esteem within a bright and joyful atmosphere.

It gently conveys the importance of recognizing one another while cherishing the unique sparkle each person has.

With a friendly, catchy melody, it naturally fosters a sense of global awareness through its English lyrics, making it a wonderful piece.

Since around 2018, it has been performed at Benesse’s English concerts and has been loved by children in summer shows like “Let’s Go! Summer Adventure.” It was also included on the 30th Anniversary DVD, gaining attention as a work that supports children’s new challenges.

This is a perfect song for when you want to enjoy a fun time singing and dancing with kids, or when you’re looking to spark their interest in English.

Ghost Party

Ghost Party (feat. Mana Ogawa)

A fun song packed with Halloween excitement is included on the September 2020 album “Shimajiro Ages 1–2: Hit Songs.” With its bright, rhythmic melody and a delightful world where friendly ghosts enjoy a party, it sparks children’s imaginations.

The energetic vocals by Shimajiro and Mana Ogawa are another highlight.

This track is perfect not only for Halloween-season events but also for daycare and kindergarten activities, as well as family parties—any occasion where kids can sing, dance, and have fun together with their friends!