Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
When you hear “songs for January,” what kinds of tunes come to mind?
There are many, from those often sung in childcare settings and schools to classic pieces that have been loved in Japan for many years.
Here, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes and hand-play songs that you’ll want to enjoy with children in January.
Everyone has different experiences with the songs they’ve grown up with, so try talking about them with your family and friends.
You might even come across some songs for the first time.
These are all songs that can be enjoyed across generations and that we’d love to pass on to the children who will shape the next generation.
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[January Songs] Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to become familiar with (21–30)
A Morning of SteamLyrics by Michio Mado / Music by Akihiko Noritake
When winter comes and the air is cold, when you exhale with a whoosh, your breath turns white like steam, right? This song playfully compares that steam to the smoke of a steam locomotive.
It’s a cheerful children’s song that encourages finding fun outdoors and playing energetically even in the cold winter—just listening to it lifts your spirits.
Mount FujiLyrics by Konami Iwaya / Composer: Unknown
A song I’d love for you to try singing with your kids at New Year’s is “Fujinoyama.” The “Fujinoyama” in the title and lyrics refers to Mount Fuji, which everyone knows.
Since Mount Fuji is said to bring good luck when it appears in your first dream of the year, a song with it as the theme feels like it might bring something good.
Plus, the melody is familiar to everyone, so it would be fun to sing it in chorus with grandpa and grandma, too.
By the way, although this song is famous, the composer is unknown.
It’s also nice to ponder that little mystery.
Snow and ChildrenLyrics by Junichi Komori / Music by Norwegian folk song
It’s said to be a Norwegian children’s song, but the original title and lyrics are unknown.
Combined with its slightly melancholic melody, it also sounds somewhat mysterious.
The lyrics were written by children’s author Jun’ichi Kobayashi, and it has long been featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” The content of the lyrics evokes Norway in Northern Europe: “No matter how much snow falls, it’s okay, because snow is my best friend.” Though both the first and second verses are short, just three lines each, they convey to listeners the beauty and joy of a snowy country.
If you haven’t heard it yet, please do!
The Spinning SongLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akihiro Komori
When the weather turns cold, you naturally want warmer clothes and shoes than in other seasons, right? Let’s try a fun hand-play activity with the song “The Spool-Winding Song,” which is all about making cozy shoes! As you sing, twirl both hands to wind the thread, and sometimes add a motion like pulling the thread.
You’ll make shoes for little elves, animals, and finally for yourself.
You don’t often get to see shoes being made by actually pulling thread, but use your imagination and create wonderful shoes within the song!
I look forward to your continued support this year as well.Lyrics and Music by: Aramaki Shake
An original song by childcare singer-songwriter Shake Aramaki.
It sets simple New Year’s greetings—like the kind you’d see on a New Year’s card, such as “Happy New Year” and “I look forward to your continued support this year”—to a cheerful melody, and it’s performed with hand motions.
The video also works like a mini-lesson, so you can watch and jump right in.
Aramaki shares many hand-play and play songs on his own video site, so if you’re interested, check out his other tracks too!
Snow FestivalLyrics/Music: Minami Ranbo
This is a song that was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1984, with lyrics and music by Ranbo Minami.
Ranbo Minami also worked on “Yamaguchi-san Chi no Tsutomu-kun.” It’s a piece that makes you feel as if you can hear children playing in the snow.
Powdery snow konkoLyrics by Toshiko Iijima / Music by Kishiou Hirao
“Konayuki Konko” is loved as a song that evokes the seasonal charm of winter, and in some regions you often hear it played by kerosene delivery trucks.
The melody conjures up scenes of snowy winter days, though it isn’t widely known nationwide, so many people may not have heard it.
Still, its familiar, easy-to-remember tune makes it a great song to sing with children.
Take this opportunity to learn it and add a bit more joy to your winter—your heart and body are sure to feel warm and cozy.