Three Straws on a Staff Lyrics
Three straws tied to a stick. That is all it takes to make a baby cry and then laugh. Two lines about the simplest toy in the world.
Three Straws on a Staff
Three straws on a staff
Would make a baby cry and laugh.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/three-straws/
- Type
- Mother Goose
- Tune
- Spoken rhyme
- Best for ages
- 6 months to 4 years
What Does Three Straws on a Staff Mean?
A staff is a stick. Tie three straws to it and wave them, and a baby will stare, perhaps cry at the surprise, and then laugh. The rhyme is a reminder that babies need very little to be entertained: movement, a rustle and a familiar voice.
History and Origin
The rhyme is printed in The Real Mother Goose (1916). Before shop-bought toys were common, babies played with homemade rattles and dangling things made from whatever was at hand, such as straw, wooden spoons and scraps of cloth.
Learning Activities
- Homemade toy: tie ribbons to a wooden spoon and wave them gently for your baby to watch.
- Simple play: see how many ways your toddler can play with a cardboard box.
- Safety: always stay close when babies play with ribbons or straws.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a staff?
A stick or pole.
What is the rhyme about?
How a very simple homemade toy can entertain a baby.