Recommended children's songs and hand play songs for October! Music time in childcare that feels like autumn.
The season of children’s songs that warmly embrace the heart in October has arrived.
Crimson dragonflies at dusk, cosmos flowers, golden rice ready for harvest, and children going out to collect acorns and fallen leaves… Scenes that color autumn in Japan are beautifully depicted in the lyrics and melodies of these songs.
In this article, we introduce autumn children’s songs beloved in early childhood settings, as well as seasonal finger-play songs you can enjoy with kids.
Please sing these autumn songs—cherished across generations—together with your loved ones, children and adults alike!
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Recommended Children's Songs and Hand-Play Tunes for October! Music Time in Childcare That Feels Like Autumn (51–60)
Bright Red AutumnHideo Kobayashi
Sung by UA, who also appeared on NHK Educational’s Doremi no Terebi, the song evokes vivid autumn scenes just by listening to it.
The track is also included on UA’s album Utau Ua.
The composer is Hideo Kobayashi, known for creating numerous choral works.
autumn field
This is “Autumn Field” from Hakushu Kitahara’s Six Children’s Songs.
The composition was done by Ikuma Dan.
Among the songs in this collection, it is probably the best known and most often sung.
It is a song in which “that child” from the lyrics walks along a small path, and it captures the loneliness one feels in autumn with remarkable skill.
Many of you have probably felt that same loneliness, haven’t you?
Elephant’s hat
“Zō-san no Bōshi” (The Elephant’s Hat) is a children’s song with lyrics by Kozo Endo and music by Hiroaki Nakamura that’s very popular with kids! It’s a cute song about various animals fitting inside an elephant’s big hat.
In nurseries and kindergartens, they seem to enjoy it using panel theater.
It’s exciting to wonder which animal will go in next! Since the children have their own hats, some of them might even try stuffing animal dolls into theirs.
autumn sky
It’s a very short piece, but as the title suggests, it’s a memorable song that evokes the clear autumn sky.
There’s a call-and-response part where you shout toward the sky, so if adults sing it, kids will surely enjoy copying them.
Even children who are too young to sing can have fun with this song.
If you go for a walk in the pleasant autumn weather, be sure to try singing it.
Recommended Children’s Songs and Hand-Play Rhymes for October! Music Time in Early Childhood Education That Feels Like Autumn (61–70)
Sweet Potato Song
Autumn is often called the season of hearty appetites, and many foods are delicious then—but when it comes to kids’ favorite fall foods, sweet potatoes are at the top of the list! You probably have lots of chances to go sweet potato digging or enjoy roasted sweet potatoes at home or at kindergarten.
That’s when you’ll want to sing the “Sweet Potato Song” together with the children.
Its lyrics are all about sweet potatoes and it has a cheerful feel that kids are sure to love.
In particular, the opening part that mimics the sound of a little toot will really get the kids excited when you sing it together!
Insect sounds
Listening to insects chirp is one of the pleasures of autumn.
Some of you may have even learned the insects’ names from this song.
By the way, insects that chirp in autumn generally belong to the suborder Ensifera (katydids, crickets, etc.
).
This video features the version sung by Benesse characters Shimajiro and Torippi.
Shopping at the bakery
Introducing “Shopping at the Bakery,” a partner activity you can enjoy in pairs.
It’s a fingerplay song themed around shopping at a bakery.
Two people face each other, and one person touches parts of the partner’s face in time with the lyrics.
For example, when the song mentions the crust of bread, you touch the ear; for melon bread, you touch the cheek.
You can enjoy it like a pretend errand game, and it can also spark interest in food and jobs.
It seems perfect for Labor Thanksgiving Day.