Tradition and meaning of play songs by moving hands in nurseries _―Transition of anonymous play songs by moving hand_―

Abstract

Play songs by moving hands tend to be simplified or anonymous as they spread.In this study, we focused on anonymous play songs by moving hands and analyzed the characteristics of melodies, rhythms and lyrics.

Consequently, we confirmed that there is a tendency for the melody to be flatten and the rhythm to be simplified, thus they gradually change to be more attractive and easier to sing for children, as pointed out in our previous studies on changes of play songs by moving hands.

As a consideration, we indicated that mutual interaction between nursery teachers and children is important for play songs by moving hands to be formed as “play” and the process of creating fun in the interaction is significant, though they are presented by the nursery teachers with some educational intention in the nurseries.