Can Anyone Help with a Song that Sounds like, “Dala, mala, kesha, kelpsha, svencha”?

Amanda wrote looking for help with a song: “Hi! I need help! I'm not sure of the origin of this song. My aunt said maybe it's Dutch or German. It has been passed down many years from family elders. I now have my own children and have often caught myself singing the same song/game to [...]

Can Anyone Help Identify a Dutch Kids Song?

Glenda shared the video below with the following... “Lil Fi is happy to have me share this. She comes to our centre every fortnight and spends a half hour in each room. This is a favourite song especially in the babies' room. Can anyone shed some light on this song please? I think it is [...]

How to Make a Paper Hat

We have some songs about hats on Mama Lisa's World, so we thought it would be nice to show how to make paper hats. Then you can make them with your children or students and sing the songs. The hat songs are: Hoedje van papier (Little Paper Hat) – in Dutch from Netherlands Een, twee, [...]

Sinterklaas & St Nicholas' Day in The Netherlands

By Marianne Kuiper Milks Today is Sinterklaas' birthday. Born in the 3rd Century in Mira, Turkey, Bishop Nicholas was sent to Spain by the church. On his birthday, December 5th, he gave gifts to the children instead of receiving them. His companion Piet was a Moor. The Moors were prominent in [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Dutch Children's Song about Riding to Grandmother's House?

Erin wrote looking for help with a Dutch children's song... I'm searching for a children's song I learned as a child from a teacher I had with Dutch ancestry. I do not have knowledge of Dutch or how to write it but I have a translation. Please let me know if you've heard of the

The post [...]

Kastengels – Cheese Cookies from Indonesia

Lin wrote to me from Indonesia about Kastengels, an Indonesian cookie that's eaten for the holidays of Lebaran(Eid al-Fitr) and Natal(Christmas). This is what she wrote.... “Kastengels is a kind of cookie that has a rich cheese flavor and aroma. The flavor comes from Edam cheese that is [...]

The Historical Relationship between Japan and Holland

Sadao Mazuka wrote to us about the historical relationship between Japan and Holland... Relationship between Japan & Holland First of all, please keep in mind the historical background of the 15th to 17th centuries. These centuries were called "The Age of Great Navigation" of European [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Dutch or German Children's Song?

Bruce Ham wrote to us recently looking for help with the lyrics to a Dutch children's song that his grandmother used to sing to the kids in the family. He sent us a recording of his grandmother singing the song. In the recording you can also hear his grandma talk about how she used to

The [...]

National Pancake Day in the Netherlands

Gert Beumer wrote to us about National Pancake Day in the Netherlands... Last week on Friday, March 18th, it was National Pancake Day. Several school classes baked pancakes for the older generation in elder home care facilities. That made me remember this song about making pancakes called Elsje [...]