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 children's rhymes collection (41–50)

Shopping at the bakery

Shopping at the bakery (interactive play) Nap time Ages 0+

Shopping at the bakery

This is a distinctive baby massage song that likens a baby’s face to different kinds of bread.

Gently cup the face with your hands for a sandwich, the plump cheeks are melon bread, the tiny nose is a twisted donut, and the cute ears are bread crusts—touch each part in time with the lyrics.

Occasionally give gentle pokes to the body as well, so the baby can feel which part is being touched.

Some babies may dislike having their faces touched at first, but as they get used to it, they will gradually start to smile.

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[Parenting] Parent-and-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes compilation (51–60)

Fururira~

[Baby Play] “Full Rila~” (from above) baby massage, baby exercises

Fururira~

This is a baby massage song featuring lyrics with a rain motif.

Move the baby’s legs gently from side to side to the music, and stimulate them by expressing the intensity of the rain—like pit-pat or pouring—through touch on their body so they can feel it.

In addition to touching with your fingers, show the movement of your fingers to guide the baby’s gaze, and look into their eyes to send a clear message of love.

Looking into their eyes and touching their body helps release oxytocin—often called the “happy hormone”—in the brain, soothing both of you and wrapping you in a feeling of happiness.

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Mickey Mouse March

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

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.

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Panda, rabbit, koalaLyrics by Hiroo Takada / Music by Yuki Inui

Panda, Bunny, Koala ♪

Panda Rabbit Koala Lyrics: Hiroo Takada / Music: Yuki Inui

How about “Panda Usagi Koala,” a hand-play song that became widely popular thanks to NHK’s educational program Okaasan to Issho? The lyrics were written by Hiroo Takada, and the song is known for mimicking the movements of a panda, a rabbit, and a koala.

Its appeal also lies in the built-in variations and game-like elements, such as the gradually increasing tempo.

Adding brief explanations between sections—like “Let’s line them up!”—might make it even more fun.

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Gramps and Grannychildren’s song

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

Grandpa-Grandma nursery rhyme

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.

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Squeeze, squeeze, kashiwa mochi.Lyrics: Tomoko Sakura / Music: Tatsuyuki Ozawa

A nursery classic to sing: “Kashiwa Mochi Gyuggyu” [Children’s Day, nursery music play, hand-play song]

Kashiwamochi Gyugyu Lyrics: Tomoko Sakura / Composition: Tatsuyuki Ozawa

An adorable children’s song that rhythmically depicts the fun of making kashiwa-mochi.

Its structure lets kids sing while doing hand-play motions, which naturally draws out their body movements and helps develop a sense of rhythm.

Featured in numerous early childhood education books—such as “Instant Hand-Play & Piano Accompaniment for Ages 0–2”—the song is widely used in kindergartens and nurseries.

Try singing it at home with your child while enjoying the hand-play.

And after the fun, how about some real kashiwa-mochi for a snack?

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Bamboo shoots are sprouting.children’s song

[KBS Children's Songs] The Bamboo Shoot Sprouted

A children's song about sprouting bamboo shoots

Through a traditional Japanese play song that evokes the arrival of spring, it gently wraps children’s hearts in warmth.

The key is choreography that engages the whole body—pressing both hands together above the head to show a sprout pushing up from the ground, or spreading both arms wide to mimic a flower in bloom.

The way it’s played varies slightly by region and has been passed down from parents to children.

It can be enjoyed not only as a hand game but also as a rock–paper–scissors game, making it popular among children in nursery schools and kindergartens.

Keeping rhythm while moving their hands and bodies, children naturally break into smiles.

This piece is a friendly song that eases the worries of children who feel anxious in new environments.

It is truly a perfect number for fostering children’s healthy growth and emotional richness.

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