5 nursery rhymes chosen by the Namaki team

At Namaki, we create playful, natural make-up for children… and we also love anything that sparks their imagination! There’s nothing like nursery rhymes to get little ones (and grown-ups) singing, dancing and dreaming. These songs, sometimes tender, sometimes wacky, sometimes sad, are part of our fondest memories as children and parents… So we asked five members of our team THE question: “What’s your favorite nursery rhyme?”

Spoiler: we sang while writing this article, and the tunes have been running through our heads all day. It’s sure to put you in a good mood at work!

#1 – The Holiday Rhyme

If I tell you: sea, beach, shells, you say? Summer vacations? Fish? That’s right, “Les petits poissons” is Maurine’s favorite nursery rhyme. It has a fresh, sea air about it. Not surprising, since Maurine sang it all the way to Brittany! This rhyme with gestures is an opportunity to develop coordination and concentration by associating gesture with speech. An essential nursery rhyme for babies and young children.

#2 – Crocodiles for singing at the top of their voices

For all the little ones who sing “Ah les crocrocros, les crocrocros, les crocRodiles” and make us smile every time, we love it! Clémence, our French sales rep, and her daughter too. “It’s my daughter’s favorite nursery rhyme, and makes her clap her hands at all times. This military march rhyme can be accompanied by small instruments such as maracas and a tambourine to hammer out the crocodile’s steps. A fun way to discover music.

#3 – Beware of grief: Don’t cry, Jeannette

The only nursery rhyme on this list that isn’t about animals! This children’s rhyme was chosen by Juliette, our digital communications manager. Far from being the most cheerful of songs, it shows us that, as a child, the development of musical sensitivity depends above all on rhythm, melody and intonation. Sung in the gentlest of voices, this nursery rhyme helps children to calm down, relax and soothe a heavy sorrow. Because of its length and rich vocabulary, this nursery rhyme encourages language and memory development. And do you know why Juliette chose it? It’s the only one she knows by heart! 🤫

#4 – The least cheerful of our playlist: Jimbo the elephant

While we’re on the subject of sad songs, here’s another, much less well-known one. It’s a lovely lullaby that turns out to be short-lived, because as soon as the second stanza is played, we learn that the poor little elephant who had fallen asleep will never wake up again, and for good reason… Yet it’s the favorite nursery rhyme of Jessica, our operational management assistant. Her madeleine de Proust, the one her mom used to sing to her when she was little.

#5 – The timeless nursery rhyme: Little Snail

Let’s end on a happier note with a classic among classics. It’s the choice of Marie-Laure, general manager and co-founder of Namaki.

💬 “When my daughter sang it, she couldn’t pronounce the r’s, so it made for something very funny.

A short nursery rhyme that I’m sure we’ve all sung at some point. But have you ever tried singing it without the R’s? Fun guaranteed!

Whether they make you move, laugh or dream, nursery rhymes have the magical power to cross generations and create bonds. At Namaki, we’re convinced that these little moments of singing are essential to awakening and bonding. What’s your favorite nursery rhyme? Tell us in comments or, better still, sing it for us and share it on instagram #comptineprefereenamaki!