Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom WriterMoe Tsukada
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

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.

[January Songs] Nursery Rhymes and Hand-Clapping Songs We’d Like Children to Enjoy (31–40)

KodANUKI PonpoAtomu Shimojō

Atom Shimojō: Little Raccoon Dog Ponpo

Kodunuki Pompo Shimojo Atom

The children’s song “Kodanuki Pompo,” with its uniquely pleasant sense of rhythm, has been airing on NHK’s Minna no Uta since 1983, so some of you may have heard it.

Listen closely to the poignant lyrics about Kodanuki Pompo faithfully waiting for the girl who lent him her red gloves last winter.

The steady, even rhythm flows comfortably into your body, and together with the gentle, deeply expressive melody, it’s sure to strengthen the bond between parents and children.

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[Hand-play song] Konkon Kitsune

Konk-on Fox [Hand Play] A fox comes from this side~♪ Perfect as an introductory hand play for kindergartens and nursery schools!

[Hand-play song] Konkon Kitsune

Konkon Kitsune, perfect for winter fingerplay, is a children’s hand-play song based on the American nursery rhyme “There’s a Cabin in the Woods.” It’s great fun even for little kids: you form a fox with your hands and play along to the song.

The simple fox hand shape, moving your hands left and right, imitating the fox’s voice, and repeating the same motions to the rhythm are all popular with children.

It gets even more fun if you get creative—try turning the fox into Pikachu or a rabbit for your hand-play.

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[Hand Play Song] Nikuman Anman

Nikuman Anman | A popular winter hand-play song demonstrated by a childcare worker

[Hand Play Song] Nikuman Anman

Let us introduce the hand-play song “Nikuman Anman,” a simple tune you can enjoy with easy lyrics and choreography.

The theme is nikuman (meat buns) and anman (sweet red bean buns), foods you crave in the cold winter.

Its key point is a familiar, easy-to-remember melody.

The original tune is a French folk song, the same melody as “Guu Choki Paa de Nani Tsukuro” (“What Shall We Make with Rock, Paper, Scissors?”), so many of you have probably heard it before.

Not only do various kinds of Chinese steamed buns make an appearance, but each has an adorable choreography as well.

You’re sure to smile at the charming performances of the cute children.

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A Town Where It SnowsLyrics by Naoya Uchimura / Music by Yoshinao Nakata

Snowy Town by Chieko Baisho

Yuki no Furu Machi o Lyrics by Naoya Uchimura / Music by Yoshinao Nakada

When it comes to winter traditions, “Yuki no Furu Machi o” (A Snowy Town) beautifully depicts a cityscape blanketed in snow.

This song has been covered by many singers, and among them, the version performed by actress-singer Chieko Baisho is especially beloved.

Set against the snowy scenery of Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture, the piece evokes the spirit of the season.

Its melody is easy to remember, making it fun to sing along with children, which is why it’s cherished in many households as a winter song.

Though the season is cold, let this song warm both your heart and body.

Be sure to sing it together with your children and create wonderful winter memories.

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Snowball fightLyrics/Music: Unknown

Snowball Fight (Yukigassen) – Ordinary Elementary School Songs, For Fourth Grade

Snowball Fight Lyrics/Composition: Unknown

Speaking of the cold winter season, there are times when snow piles up.

This song depicts children enjoying a classic winter pastime: a snowball fight.

The sky is clear, and the scene shows a landscape blanketed in snow; after that, the lyrics focus on the snowball fight itself.

What stands out is the use of vivid, intense language to portray the heated battle, conveying how seriously the children are engaged.

It also feels like a reminder that it’s important to throw yourself wholeheartedly into play as well.

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[January Songs] Nursery Rhymes and Hand-Clapping Songs We Want Children to Enjoy (41–50)

Goat MailLyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

Goat Mail - A letter came from the white goat; the black goat went and ate it without reading it~ (with gestures) [Japanese children's song]

Yagi-san Post (Goat Mail)Lyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

The children’s song “Yagi-san Yubin” has long been loved.

Its charm lies in the humorous lyrics about goats who love paper so much that, whenever a letter arrives, they eat it right away and can never read it.

It’s fun to sing together as a parent and child, and it would be even more exciting to add gestures that follow the lyrics while you sing.

Try getting into the goats’ mindset and enjoy the song’s humor-filled words.

It’s a piece we’d like to keep singing and passing down across generations.

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pine coneLyrics by Takao Hirota / Music by Tsyae Kobayashi

[Hand play song] Pine Cone

Pine Cone Lyrics by Takao Hirota / Music by Tsuyae Kobayashi

The hand-play song “Matsubokkuri” is characterized by large movements that match the lyrics.

Try expressing the mountain pose with both hands over your head, the motions of rolling your arms in circles like a pinecone tumbling, and a little monkey eating a pinecone! Since it’s a relatively short song, children can learn it quickly and enjoy it.

At the end, when the monkey munches the pinecone, sing out loudly and energetically to make it even more exciting—give it a try!

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