With the refreshing autumn breeze comes a cool season filled with children’s smiles.
During such delightful autumn days, why not incorporate songs and fingerplay that are perfect for the season into life with the children? In fact, there are many children’s songs for September that gently depict autumn scenes, such as ginkgo leaves, chestnuts, and moon-viewing.
Here, we will introduce a wide range of songs that will be useful in September childcare—from pieces that express autumn landscapes like moon-viewing and autumn foliage to fingerplay songs.
Be sure to find songs that let you enjoy the season together with the children while experiencing the ambiance of autumn.
A Collection of Classic Nursery Rhymes & Fingerplay Songs for September! Enjoy Autumn with Your Child Through Songs (1–10)
pine coneLyrics by Takao Hirota / Music by Tsyae Kobayashi
Nursery rhyme: Pine Cone, lyrics by Takao Hirota, music by Tsyae Kobayashi
Pinecones often fall on the roads in autumn.
Here’s a pinecone song and a matching hand game that makes you want to pick them up! The hand game starts by using both hands to form the shape of a pinecone.
Then, in time with the lyrics, you make a mountain over your head, and whirl your arms to show a pinecone rolling along.
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At the end, strike a monkey pose and pretend to gobble up the pinecone! Actually, pinecones can be eaten by humans too—people even make things like jam out of them!
Under the Big Chestnut TreeOriginal song: English folk song
Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree (with gestures)
A song that has been sung for many years and is likely known by almost everyone as a Japanese autumn children’s song.
Both the lyrics and the melody are easy to grasp, and it’s a nursery rhyme cherished by many generations, from parents to even older generations.
The lyrics are familiar and easy to relate to, and one of the nice points of this song is that even small children can easily picture what the words describe.
Yakiimo goo-choki-paLyrics by Hiroo Sakata / Music by Naosumi Yamamoto
[Song] Baked Sweet Potato Rock-Paper-Scissors (with moves) ★ Play Janken with Kumaa-ba! [Children’s Song, Nursery Rhyme, Hand Play, Kids, Dance] Japanese Children’s Song, Nursery Rhymes
It’s a truly autumn-like hand-play song with the theme of roasted sweet potatoes, and, just as the title suggests, it features rock, scissors, and paper as hand motions, making it a tune that feels familiar to everyone.
And once this hand-play song ends, you can actually play rock-paper-scissors, so you can have fun while feeling the autumn season.
It might be nice to play it while the sweet potatoes are roasting.
Donguri KorokoroLyrics by Tsuneyoshi Aoki / Music by Sadamu Yanada
Japanese Children’s Song – Donguri Korokoro 3D! – Donguri Korokoro
“Donguri Korokoro,” a beloved children’s song that was selected for the 100 Best Songs of Japan, is familiar to many, as it’s also used in elementary school textbooks.
It’s a lively piece with a bouncy rhythm and a catchy, pop-like melody.
Centered on acorns, a symbol of autumn, it lets you feel the season even indoors.
It’s nice to listen while picturing the natural scenery and animals mentioned in the lyrics.
This unique song perfectly matches the cute voices of children.
Enjoy it together with your kids by clapping along or adding some chorus!
mushroomLyrics by Michio Mado / Music by Shoji Kurakake
Mushroom [A Popular Hand Game for the Autumn Season] | Hand Game Video
A song whose lyrics, evoking nature’s vitality through the quiet growth of mushrooms, resonate deeply.
Its melody is easy for children to remember.
The poetic world of Michio Mado is beautifully expressed and matches perfectly with Shoji Kurakake’s musical style.
As a beloved nursery song in preschools and kindergartens, it’s perfect for nurturing children’s sensitivity.
Humming it during autumn nature observation, walks, or field trips may further deepen children’s interest in mushrooms and the creatures of the forest.
