A different kind of Flannel Friday to kick off the New Year!
This is my hugely successful, used in nearly every toddler storytime, song cube. The first time I saw this prop used was from Melissa at Mel’s Desk. Since then I’ve seen it in a whole lot of places because it’s the best thing ever.
And here’s mine:
I have six songs on my cube and since I use the cube in every program, I also took the time to pair up each song with an early literacy tip:
ABCs — If you child is having trouble with mashing up LMNOP, try singing the ABCs to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to break up those syllables.
Five Green and Speckled Frogs — Counting helps to develop early math skills and prepares children for school readiness.
I’m a Little Teapot — Pretending helps your child develop their imagination. By pretending to be a teapot, we are encouraging dramatic play.
Itsy Bitsy Spider — Because we sing Itsy Bitsy Spider three ways (Itsy Bitsy, Teensy Weensy, Great Big Hairy), we are giving children more vocabulary. And repetition helps with learning!
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star — Lullabies or other slow songs can help children to relax. Sing this song when you need your child to settle down.
Wheels on the Bus — Songs like “Wheels on the Bus” teach children about how things work. You can expand this song throughout different places and include new lyrics.
As for the actual construction, I went a bit advanced and bought these dice to use as the contents. It’s saved me from a lot of “OH MY GOODNESS, DON’T CRUSH THE CUBE, HELPFUL TODDLERS” stress. After that, it’s laminated pieces taped together with book tape. No one has destroyed it yet!
—
Anne is hosting the round-up today! You can also check out our website, Pinterest, or Facebook!
storytime katie 
I want to make one of these for my daughter! (Also, that tip about the ABCs tune is genius.)
I believe that tip originally came from Melissa. (OF COURSE IT DID.)
I think she’d love it!
Foam dice! So smart! I’ve been considering making one of these but all my attempts have come out a little too flimsy. That may do the trick.
Yes! The dice was perfect since I knew a toddler would likely smash a Kleenex box.
How do you eliminate everyone from fighting over who gets to roll the dice?
I roll the dice and then show the side that the group sees around the circle. I haven’t had any fights over it in the library, though I did have a daycare class once who all tried to hand it back to me.
Thanks fabulous idea- I’ve put up on our 100 Stories Before School rhythm and rhyme board.Now I just need to make one with Australian rhymes!
Excellent! I’d love to see what you do with it.
Did you cover the foam with paper? I love the foam dice idea! I hodgepodged a cardboard box together for mine. It looks fine but I know it won’t last forever.
The foam dice is just inside the laminated pieces of paper. No paper covering it!
I love this! Do you have your song printables available to download
I don’t because I’m not licensed to distribute Microsoft clip art, which is what I used to make this. Sorry!