Everyone has a part of them that’s like a kid. For some, that playful side doesn’t want to grow up, while others just like remembering the fun of childhood. But when it comes to learning, it’s common for that inner child to show up quickly.
While adults might prioritize certain things over children for effective learning, the science of brain-friendly learning is grounded in extensive research and the fact that our brains don’t change significantly with age when taking in new information. Whether you’re 9 or 99, learning works best when it’s interesting, enjoyable, dynamic, and active. That’s what the brain craves to stay focused and gain lasting benefits from what you’ve learned.
In simple terms, you learn better by doing and achieve more by playing. That’s why story cubes are often used for learning, whether in the classroom or during training sessions.
Rory’s Story Cubes
Rory’s Story Cubes is a fun and educational game for kids aged 6 and up. It can be played alone or with a group. The basic set has 9 cubes, each side showing a picture of a noun. You can also get additional sets like Actions (verbs), Astro, heroes, Voyages, primal, and Mystery. It’s recommended to mix two sets at least, like Actions and classics. There’s also a Google Play app you can use.
It sparks creative thinking, gets your brain working, and is fun. You can use the cubes in different ways, like practicing the alphabet, finding synonyms, singing the words, drawing the phrases, acting them out, or playing a game.
Imagine a group of people learning new Italian as a second language. You give them the cubes and ask them to tell an Italian story. You can also use it to build vocabulary by having them say the Italian word for each cube picture. Or let them put the words into phrases. You can play “Guess My Word” with friends. It’s a great way to practice foreign languages and improve vocabulary in both second-language and native-language classes.
Let’s take a writing lesson as an example to show how the cubes can be used in various ways. This can be writing exercise instructions:
Set the cubes in a bag and take one out. After each cube, write a sentence. You can add extra challenges between cubes if you want. Take out one cube, but start writing the story from the final sentence. Keep stacking the cubes on top of each other, and write the pile stays stable. Use two cubes to create a story with the pictures on them. You can also add a bonus cube or swap one you pulled before as an option for all bag exercises.
You can use the cubes in business to show a scenario to be analyzed. The cubes depict the design; once you’ve described it, the attendees can brainstorm solutions. Then, allow them to swap out to vary the setting and look for a new answer.
As with images or coaching cards, you may utilize the cubes for collecting associations for a particular coaching activity.
The Cubes can be used as a Meta-Tool in any Training:
You let the participants pick a few cubes to let them check in and express what’s happening in their mind.
Introduction
Before the session begins, allow each participant to select their own cube that will assist them in introducing themselves or explaining their expectations.
Icebreakers
Let the group narrate a story. The topic can be anything about training. It encourages teamwork and shows that everyone should take part in the training. The trainer can also share a story to break the ice.
Energizer
If the group is feeling a bit low on energy, take a break and ask them to tell a story. They need to bring some craziest and funniest ideas for the pictures on the cubes. Spread the cubes on different tables so they can move around room.
Brainstorming
Allow them to choose a cube to aid them in expressing the tasks above. You can use these to show what you’re saying, get inspired, or help connect ideas.
Checkout
Finally, make them ready to choose accordingly and represent what going in their mind right now and urge them to express it further at the checkout.
Storytelling Cubes
Story Teller Cubes is a storytelling product from Croatia. These wooden cubes are well-made and measure about 3cm each. for kids aged 3, these may have two sets and up. The “Classic” set contains five cubes with themes like time, place, person, conveyance, or object and animal.
They are popular among libraries, kindergartens, logistic professionals, and actual clinics and are often utilized for preschool and school students. from a distance, it can be simple to look at a picture, which may be useful for larger groups of people of various ages.
What You Should Remember
Not everyone will instantly find cube activities easy and fun. Some groups might be too formal or struggle to let their imaginations loose, making cube activities challenging. So, start with a quick activity in smaller or more relaxed groups, especially if they already know each other well.
Putting the Cubes Together
Of course, the cubes can be used with other complex instruments or training exercises.
You might mix “Guess my Word” in Italian class with a game of ball. After telling the group a word and they guess it right, they have to throw the ball into a hoop to get double points. They also get a prize for every ten points they get.
To make it more interesting, use a regular number cube. In a writing class, you can try the following: Roll the number cube after each story cube to decide how many nouns to use in the sentence or how many phrases to include between two cube sentences.
Use the cubes to construct pictures that show concepts to teach business students. You could combine the cubes with Lego when you utilize it in your lessons.
When used as a meta-tool or coaching, the cube can be combined with magnets, feeling cards, motivation cards, reflection cards, association cards or strength cards. Anything might work, You can also set comprehensive rules for combining items and then see how the players use them.
Read More: Quiz Bowl – An Intelligence and Knowledge Battle
Story Cubes can be combined with Story Teller Cubes
Experiment with the cubes by mixing them, you usually play games and other instruments you like. it must be short sessions of activities, including some physical movement to activate the brain, involve everyone from the group, and let everyone choose or create the activities. It helps the training flow better, keeps everyone engaged, and ensures long-term benefits from what is learned.
Digital Versions
Education and work are now happening online, and it makes you think about how to bring some cube magic into that virtual space.
A great online option called Story Dice is available for free on Dave Birss’s website. You can use five or nine cubes with drawings of everyday entities to spark creativity in your virtual group. You can also enjoy Rory’s Story Cubes’ mobile version, Zuidsoft’s (Rene Zuidhof’s) unique 40 Story Dice, and Cachucha Developer’s 16 Story Dice.
