Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months

Lalalala Cleaning Cloth

Rarara Cleaning Rag (The Cleaning Rag Song) [JCCRA]

“La La La Zokin” is a gentle baby massage you can do with baby-touch movements set to a song.

Pretending your little one is a cleaning cloth (zokin), you ‘sew’ it, wring it out, and hang it to dry—just like in the lyrics.

In time with the song, you can lightly poke your baby’s body, wiggle their arms and legs, and pat with your palms.

It’s great to try when they’re a bit fussy; it can help them settle down.

Perfect for a tender bonding time between parent and child!

a cat’s child; a kittenLyrics/Music: Chikara Deguchi

[Children's Song] Nekonoko <with gestures> with lyrics – cute hand play ♪ nursery song Nursery rhymes Japanese girl

Blending a gentle, adorable rhythm with hand-play movements, this piece is perfect for interactive play with babies from 0 years old.

Its cat-themed, charming world broadens children’s imaginations.

Satoko Yamano’s clear, transparent vocals combined with Masashi Wakamatsu’s tender arrangement weave a heartwarming melody.

Included on the album “Columbia Kids: Parent and Child Nursery Songs—Enjoy the Rhythm and Words of Songs,” released in June 2018, it is also cherished in early childhood education settings.

By making eye contact with your child and moving hands and fingers together, the circle of communication naturally grows.

It’s recommended for morning meeting time, end-of-day gatherings, and family bonding time at home.

Mr. ElephantLyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

“Elephant – Zou San | Elephant, elephant, your nose is so long, isn’t it? [Japanese Song / Children’s Song]”

The children’s song “Zousan,” featuring an adorable elephant parent and child.

Your baby might not understand the lyrics yet, but the gentle, unhurried melody will likely feel soothing.

If you sing it softly, it might even work as a lullaby.

When you sing, use your arms to mimic the elephant’s long trunk—this will catch your baby’s attention.

Sing it while looking forward to the day you’ll visit the zoo together and see a real elephant.

Frog ChorusLyrics by: Hakushu Kitahara / Music by: Yoshinao Nakada

Japanese Children’s Song – Dōyō – Chorus of Frogs – Kaeru no Gasshō

The chorus of frogs, with croaks that seem to come from nowhere, can feel just like a song—“Frogs’ Chorus.” Because the lyrics mimic frog calls, even babies will be surprised yet delighted by the unusual sounds they aren’t used to hearing! Although the song tends to focus on frog calls, it’s also fun to make parody versions with other animals like pigs or ducks to teach different sounds.

Once you can sing it together, try singing it as a round! Until then, Mom and Dad can sing it as a round for your little one to enjoy.

Donguri Korokoro

Japanese Children’s Song – Donguri Korokoro 3D! – Donguri Korokoro

Donguri Korokoro is a delightful song that tells the story of where an acorn rolls off to.

Composed in the Taisho era, it’s said to be one of Japan’s three greatest children’s songs.

It’s perfect for soothing a baby or singing together! Because it has a storyline, you might try performing it as if you’re narrating, bringing out joy, anger, sorrow, and delight.

While keeping your baby lying down and moving their hands and feet, or holding them and adding gentle physical contact, be sure to share this nostalgic, classic Japanese song with them!

Head, shoulders, knees, pon

Head, shoulders, knees, pat (with actions)

Have fun touching different parts of the body together with “Atama, Kata, Hiza, Pon.” You might know the English version, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” and this is its Japanese counterpart.

To the melody of “London Bridge Is Falling Down,” you touch the body parts mentioned in the lyrics.

Daddy and Mommy can sing while gently touching the baby’s body! It’s a perfect song for precious parent–child bonding time.

Please enjoy these irreplaceable moments—unique to this stage of life—through this song!

Forehead, nose, mouth

Forehead, nose, mouth – Mama Lima original version

Starting from the face—the forehead, nose, and mouth—this is a baby massage song that turns the whole body into lyrics.

While singing, gently touch your baby as if you’re telling them, “This is your forehead,” “This is your nose.” You can enjoy the baby’s adorable changes in expression while giving gentle stimulation to the whole body.

If you occasionally change the tempo, you might be rewarded with an irresistibly cute smile.

Repeating it many times will help you learn which touches your baby enjoys the most.