[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection

egg eggLyrics and music by Michiru Muroki

Tamago Tamago | Hand Play Video Channel “ASOBE”

“I wonder what will come out when the egg cracks?” This is the hand play game “Tamago Tamago,” which captivates children and nurtures their imagination.

It uses both hands to show the egg cracking.

Play it with children and it’s sure to be a hit! It starts with a chick, then levels up to a snake, a penguin, or even a monster—sure to bring smiles to their faces.

It might be fun to build excitement by asking, “What will be born next?”

Rolling EggsLyrics by: Michio Mado / Composer: Unknown

[Hand play] Rolling Egg (Marika)

The action song “Korokoro Tamago,” which repeats the same motions, is also recommended.

It depicts an egg rolling, a chick that hatches and walks, and then a grown chicken crowing.

You show the egg by making a fist and rotating your arms, the chick by moving your index finger up and down, and the chicken by flapping your hands.

All the movements are simple, so even infants can enjoy playing along.

It’s also appealing that children can have fun making big, whole-body movements.

Head, Shoulders, Knees—pon!Lyrics: Unknown / Music: Traditional English folk song

Head, shoulders, knees, pat (with actions)

Have fun touching your own body with “Head, Shoulders, Knees—Clap!” It’s sung to the melody of the English nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” As you sing, touch the body parts mentioned in the lyrics—touch your head for “head,” and you can point to your eyes or nose, for example.

After touching your knees, clap once.

First, show your child the gestures, then have them imitate you, or gently guide their hands and move together.

It’s also a great opportunity for them to learn the names of their body parts and discover where each one is.

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beardLyrics: Unknown / Music: Hidemitsu Tamayama

[♪ Song Anime] Ton Ton Ton Ton Grandpa with a Beard (Sung by: Icchi & Naru), Finger Plays

A nursery rhyme you can enjoy with hand play: “Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan” (Knock, knock, knock, knock, Grandpa with a Beard).

You sing while using both hands to represent the characters in the lyrics.

If you place your clenched fists at your chin, you’re a grandpa with a beard; if you place your clenched fists on your cheeks, you’re the grandpa with distinctive bumps.

In this way, do the hand motions as you sing.

Seeing different people appear using just your hands will make your child curious and think, “What’s that?” Because the movements aren’t complicated, it’s an easy hand-play song even for one-year-olds to try.

Gonbe-san’s BabyLyrics: Akira Tashiga / Music: American folk song

[Hand Play] Gombei’s Baby♪

Gonbe-san’s Baby was created based on an American folk song.

It’s a song featuring a character named Gonbe-san—who covers his head with a tenugui and ties it under his chin—and a baby.

It depicts a scene where the baby catches a cold, and you use your hands to show actions like holding the baby and having a bright idea.

You can enjoy a unique move where, in a fluster, you end up putting a cold compress on yourself by mistake.

Once you’re used to it, try picking up the tempo.

Give this hand play a try and make the most of this familiar melody that everyone has heard at least once.

Let's clap our handsLyrics by Junichi Kobayashi / Music by Traditional Czechoslovak Folk Song

Let's Clap Our Hands

“Te o Tatakimashou” (“Let’s Clap Our Hands”) is a song where children can enjoy a variety of movements and expressions in time with the lyrics.

Because it includes expressions of emotions like laughing and getting angry, it helps draw out many different faces and feelings from the children.

If the teacher really goes all-in and performs a bit exaggeratedly, the kids will likely join in freely as well.

Seeing their cute faces working so hard to express themselves is sure to be heartwarming.

Since it uses the whole body, incorporating it before a main activity—such as during a morning meeting—should be a fun way to get everyone loosened up.

yomogi-jōbu nochildren’s song

Spring children's song / For the April–May seasonal festivals: [Yomogi-Jobu no]. I'd like to play it to coincide with the festival.

“Yomogi Joubu no” is a heartwarming children’s song that depicts children growing up alongside the blessings of nature.

From the lyrics about a game where kids playfully tap each other’s bottoms with mugwort and iris, you can sense old-fashioned playfulness and the wisdom of people who believed in the power of plants.

Its simple melody and lyrics are easy to remember and seem likely to spread naturally among children.

It’s perfect for singing during spring flower-viewing or outdoor activities.

If you sing while moving your body, it’s sure to bring out lots of smiles from the kids.

Singing together in a circle also makes for wonderful shared memories.