[Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs

Song of the SeashoreLyrics by Hokkai Hayashi / Music by Tamezo Narita

Hamabe no Uta / Opening lyrics: ♪ Ashita wa hamabe o / With easy-to-read lyrics [Japanese song, Japanese traditional song]

Woven in a gentle waltz rhythm, “Hamabe no Uta” (Song of the Seashore) is one of Japan’s quintessential lyrical songs, first published in 1913 and later selected in 2007 for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” If you’ve seen the classic film Twenty-Four Eyes, you may recall the scene in which a schoolgirl sings this piece a cappella.

While the lyrics, which use archaic language, may be somewhat challenging to fully grasp even for adults, the beauty of the melody will surely resonate with young children as well.

feathered robeLyrics: Yanami Hayashi / Music: Kunihiko Hashimoto

Children’s song singer Yasuko Ukishima [Monbushō Shōka: Hagoromo]

This children’s song, beloved since 1941, is inspired by the celestial maiden’s beautiful white, fluffy robe of feathers.

Layered onto that motif are scenes of Japan’s summer beauty, such as a cool seaside and Mount Fuji veiled in clouds.

It evokes a wonderfully dreamlike image.

Incidentally, “Monbushō Shōka” refers to songs that, at the time this piece was created, were recommended for schoolchildren after passing the Ministry of Education’s screening.

soap bubbleLyrics by Ujō Noguchi / Music by Shinpei Nakayama

Soap Bubbles [With Song] Nursery Rhyme

Among the traditional songs and children’s tunes Japan is proud of, the beloved classic “Shabondama” (Soap Bubbles) is known by everyone, young and old alike, and its somewhat wistful melody resonates with the Japanese heart.

Singing this song while playing with soap bubbles on a hot summer day might even make you feel a little cooler.

As an aside, there are various interpretations of the lyrics’ melancholy meaning.

The most famous theory is that lyricist Ujō Noguchi imbued the song with feelings for his eldest daughter, who died shortly after birth, but it’s not certain whether that story is actually true.

A Little Bear in the RainLyrics: Masao Tsurumi / Music: Akira Yuyama

A Rainy Little Bear (♪ It rained on the mountain ~) by Himawari / With Lyrics | June Children's Song [100 Best Japanese Songs]

This song is a children’s tune that aired on NHK in 1962.

Adult bears are imposing, but baby bears are round and cute, aren’t they? The song depicts such a little bear coming to a brook on a rainy day, scooping up water to drink, and gazing at the stream, waiting to see if any fish will come by.

Since the fish don’t show up for a while, the bear tries using a leaf as an umbrella—the way it keeps trying is just adorable!

butterflied sardine(s)

Opened sardines—Zun-zun cha-cha, ho! A unique rhythm that’s totally catchy!? Fun fish-themed hand play. #play #childcare #nurseryteacher #children #athomeplay #handplay #handplaysong #handgame #introactivity #fish #indoors #preschoolers

Sardines, herring, Pacific saury, and salmon—these are common fish on the dinner table, but for some kids, is fish a “miss” on the menu? Here’s a hand-play song about butterflying fish, with a very lively “Zun-zun cha-cha” rhythm.

It’s so fun it might spark kids’ interest in fish.

And the highlight of the song is a giant fish(?) that appears at the end.

Turning that one into a butterfly cut would be quite a scene.

Find out what it is by listening to the song!

Slurping somen noodles

Somen slick-slurp—so fun you’ll want to do it again and again!? A funny hand play game. #play #childcare #nurseryteacher #kids #athomeplay #games #handplay #handplayandchants #intro #summer #indoors #infants #toddlers #video

When it comes to classic dishes for hot summer days, somen noodles are a must! They’re easy to prepare—just boil and chill in cold water—and their smooth, refreshing taste makes them a beloved favorite.

This song about somen playfully captures the noodles’ slippery texture, complete with hand motions.

It’s a cute tune that even conveys the cool, refreshed feeling after you’ve finished eating.

The simple melody that you can remember after just one listen is another highlight!

Morning on the RanchLyrics: Ministry of Education Shoka / Composition: Eikichi Funabashi

Morning on the Ranch — Masako Saito

The song “Bokujō no Asa” (“Morning on the Ranch”) evokes a refreshing summer morning.

It was modeled on a ranch in Fukushima Prefecture and has even become the town song of Kagamiishi, where the ranch is located.

First released in 1932, it was later broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1968.

True to its title, the lyrics depict the morning ranch scenery so vividly that you feel as if you’re standing there yourself.

Even though summer mornings can often be hot, it might be nice to feel a refreshing summer morning through this song.

For children, it can also be a chance to imagine what a ranch is like.