Lovely childcare

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

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.

For children, hand-play songs where they sing and interact with familiar adults and friends are so much fun.

Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes are said to have a very positive effect on children’s brain and emotional development.

It’s something we’d love to incorporate a lot into everyday life.

So this time, we’re introducing hand-play songs and nursery rhymes that parents and children can enjoy together.

From classic tunes everyone has heard to popular songs sung in daycare centers and kindergartens, there’s a lot to choose from!

Please try to find songs you can enjoy together that match your children’s age and interests.

Many of these songs have a good tempo and catchy melodies or phrases, so they’re easy to learn right away!

[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection (21–30)

Mom’s Slide

Mama’s slide (body play) Sit down~

Mom’s Slide

The key point of the “Mama’s Slide” baby massage song is the sliding part.

Sit your child on your lap, gently support both sides under their arms, and sway their body from side to side.

For the “stairs,” slowly bend and straighten your knees to raise and lower your child’s eye level, as if they’re climbing steps.

At the end, support your child on your bent knees and let them slide down.

When changing positions, talk to your child as you move so they don’t feel anxious.

Enjoy it at a comfortable pace that suits your child’s stage of development.

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Donut SongLyrics/Music: Makimiki

Donut Song

Lyrics and Music: Maki Miki, Donut Song

Let us introduce a fun children’s song themed around donuts, created by Makimiki! It has a gentle feel that you and your child can hum along to.

With its rhythmic, poppy melody and a charming worldview that sings about peeking at Mom and Dad through the donut hole, it’s a must-listen.

The song was also featured on Sanrio’s kids’ program “Kitty’s Paradise.” At a perfect length of 1 minute and 2 seconds for singing together while engaging with your child, it helps create a delightful bonding time with its soothing tones and heartwarming lyrics.

It’s an excellent choice for playful music time and for encouraging friendly physical contact.

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[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes (31–40)

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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Chochi chochi awawa.children’s song

Nursery Teacher’s Recommendation! Interactive Play “Chochi-chochi Awawa” for 10-Month-Olds

Chochi chochi awawawa nursery rhyme

Traditional Japanese nursery rhymes are a charming way to spend quality time with your baby.

With endearing hand and facial movements, look your child in the eyes and gently hold hands as you play together.

Perfect for deepening the bond between caregivers and children, this work has been featured in various educational programs and events, and its appeal has been passed down across generations.

You can play with your baby on your lap or while lying down, allowing you to adapt flexibly to their condition and mood.

With a caregiver’s gentle singing and warm touch, enjoy a delightful time filled with your baby’s smiles.

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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

Lyrics and Composition: Chikara Deguchi

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.

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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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A-I-U-E-O nigiriLyrics and Music by Saeko Shuu

♪ A-I-U-E-O Onigiri — Let's have onigiri together from the morning ♪ [with choreography]

A-I-U-E-O Onigiri Lyrics and Music: Shu Saeko

A bright, rhythmic tune themed around the joy and smiles of making rice balls as a family.

With lyrics that spark curiosity and imagination about everyday ingredients, it captivates children’s hearts.

First broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in April 2001, the song has been covered by many artists, including Satoko Yamano and the Himawari Kids.

It’s used in nursery schools and kindergartens as part of food education, and it’s also recommended to hum along at home while making onigiri with your child.

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