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)
The Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsLyrics and Music by Rie Miyahira
A fun song where the twelve zodiac animals appear in a rhythmic sequence.
It’s perfect for New Year’s and might be a great way for children to become familiar with the twelve zodiac animals.
Created by Rie Miyahira, this piece won the Excellence Award at the 9th Lapomme Grand Prize and is widely loved in early childhood education settings.
Imitating animal sounds or moving your body as if you were each animal while singing makes it even more exciting and enjoyable.
It’s a recommended song to sing with children not only for New Year’s events but also at gatherings with an animal theme.
Octopus SongLyrics/Music: Ministry of Education Shoka (Monbusho Shoka)
When it comes to children’s play in January, kite flying comes to mind! It’s not as popular among kids as it used to be, but you still see it around New Year’s.
The lyrics cheer the kite on to soar high into the sky, and some interpret this as a metaphor for wishing for a child’s growth.
If you think of the lyrics that way, it changes how you listen to the song, doesn’t it? As a seasonal tradition of January, kite flying is something we’d like to continue cherishing.
[January Songs] Nursery Rhymes and Hand-Clapping Songs We’d Like Children to Enjoy (31–40)
Light of FirefliesLyrics: Chie Inagaki / Music: Scottish folk song
For Japanese people, a song that feels especially familiar as a graduation ceremony piece is Hotaru no Hikari.
Its original melody is the Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne, but Japanese lyrics were added so it could be used as a school song.
Even if you’ve had chances to hear the tune, the lyrics are written in classical Japanese, which can make them a bit hard to approach.
Why not take this opportunity to listen to it with your children, savoring the beauty of the old-fashioned Japanese lyrics?
hometownLyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano / Music by Teiichi Okano
The well-known classic song “Furusato,” which also appears in music textbooks, is a familiar favorite.
Its lyrics evoke the charm of traditional Japanese countryside scenery.
Because the song uses classical language, it might feel a bit difficult for children.
In such cases, teachers and guardians can explain the meanings in a way children can understand while guiding them into the world of the lyrics.
Becoming familiar with traditional Japanese music can also give children a valuable opportunity to experience beautiful Japanese language.
Winter ConstellationLyrics by Keizo Horiuchi / Music by Hayes
“Winter Constellations” is a classic song with lyrics by Keizo Horiuchi, included in the 1947 textbook Middle School Music.
It is a Japanese rendition of the 1871 popular song “Darling Nelly Gray,” composed by William Hays, but instead of a sweet love song, the lyrics beautifully depict the winter constellations.
The melody feels as if it were born for these words—warm and tender.
In 2007, it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Noted Songs, attesting to its beauty and renown.
Listening to the original tune makes its charm all the more palpable.
As the cold days continue, try singing Winter Constellations to warm both your heart and body.
winter songLyrics by Tomoko Nakayama / Music by Hristo Nejarov
It’s a Bulgarian folk song that was broadcast many times on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in Japan.
It has a very lively, upbeat, and fast tempo that makes you feel happy when you listen to it.
You can picture a scene of dashing swiftly through pure white snow in a sleigh.
Even Kaze-san.Lyrics by Kaoru Shibayama / Music by Hachiro Sato
Composed by Yoshinao Nakada, with lyrics by Kaoru Shibayama and supplementary lyrics by Hachiro Sato.
Nakada and Sato left behind many children’s songs, including “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa” and “Medaka no Gakko.” This piece is a song about the wind that lets us truly feel the presence of Wind-san, who is usually invisible.
How about singing it with your child in a warm room during a chilly January when the north wind is blowing hard? Even though you can’t see it, the wind can have hands, a mouth, and eyes—this nursery song nurtures a child’s imagination.
The gentle, slow melody makes it even more fun if you add hand motions and express it together as you sing.