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

Mickey Mouse March

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

Set to the famous Mickey Mouse March, this is a baby massage song where you ask, “Where is your head?” After asking, gently tap with your hand and show your baby by saying, “Here it is, here it is, it’s right here.” You can do this with any body part like the tummy, cheeks, or bottom.

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

It might help them start learning their own name.

Gramps and Grannychildren’s song

Gee-Gee Baa: A Nursery Rhyme for 0-Year-Olds

Let’s introduce a perfect traditional children’s song for gentle playtime with your baby! This piece lets you softly touch and play with your baby’s face, so you can enjoy watching their expressions change together.

It’s included on the album “Mainichi Warabe-uta from 0 Years Old,” released by King Records in August 2022, featuring the warm vocals of Emiko Kobayashi.

It’s also used in the child-rearing support activities of “Hapimoto” in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, and is loved by many parents.

Sit your child on your lap and sing while facing them gently.

By tuning in to your baby’s feelings and taking your time to connect through touch, you’ll create a fun, smile-filled time of communication.

Story FingerLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama

Mr. Story Finger (🎵 This finger is Papa~) by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics [Children’s Song | One of Japan’s 100 Selected Songs]

This is a heartwarming children’s song that you can enjoy while doing hand play.

By imagining your fingers as cute family members, it unfolds like a conversation between characters, so it’s great fun to sing while moving your fingers together with your child! Created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama, the piece was first introduced in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Toddler Time,” and has been included on many classic recordings, such as the album “Children’s Songs by Age (2) Ages 1–2.” Its simple lyrics and melody are charming and perfect for parent-child bonding.

Widely loved as a staple hand-play song that’s hugely popular in kindergartens and nursery schools, it has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The bright, cheerful melody makes it easy to sing and is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.

La-la-la daikon

“La-La-La Daikon” hand-play song

Let’s pretend your baby is a daikon radish and play together.

There are two versions—grated daikon and dried shredded daikon—so you can enjoy it in two different ways.

Lay your baby on their back, sit by their feet, and interact as if you’re cooking: gently stroke and pat the baby, like you’re preparing ingredients.

The bright melody and quirky lyrics are amusing, making it a fun activity that brings smiles not only to babies but also to adults.

It’s suitable even for babies in the lying-down stage, so give it a try.

Row the boat

Baby-mo April 2011 issue Hand-play song “Row the Boat” [Shufunotomo Co., Ltd.]

Like the song title suggests, “Row the Boat” is fun with rowing-like motions.

Lay your baby on their back, gently hold their feet, and move them as if doing a breaststroke.

If you move gently, your baby will enjoy it! You can start once your baby’s neck is stable, and when they can sit or stand, you might add more dynamic movements.

Why not enjoy this bonding time with your baby while the relaxed tempo of the song soothes parents as well?

strollLyrics by Rieko Nakagawa / Music by Joe Hisaishi

♪ Stroll – Let’s walk, let’s walk, I’m feeling great~ ♪ <with choreography> [Studio Ghibli film “My Neighbor Totoro” opening theme]

This bright, upbeat march-style song is perfect for bonding with your child.

Released in November 1987 on the album “My Neighbor Totoro: Image Song Collection,” it is also well known as the opening theme song for Studio Ghibli’s animated film “My Neighbor Totoro.” The lyrics were written by children’s author Rieko Nakagawa, with music composed by Joe Hisaishi.

Its charm lies in the simple melody that inspires a positive mood and the warm, heartfelt lyrics.

It’s great for energetic singing with movement, making it ideal for musical play in nursery schools and kindergartens.

It’s a wonderful song you can enjoy together while facing your child, holding hands, and sharing affectionate contact.

mixed juice

We did the fingerplay song “Mixed Juice.”

Let’s make mixed juice with lots of our favorite fruits! This cheerful song is called “Mixed Juice.” Many kinds of fruit appear, and each one has its own choreography, so it looks like a fun way to learn the names and move your hands and feet.

It wraps up with a big “Kanpai!” so it’d be great for everyone to say it together in unison!