Most children love to hear the chug-a-lug of the train rolling down the railroad tracks as the car sits at a stop sign. Trains are not only fun to look at, but they are also a unique way to teach your child. Check out these five ways in which toy trains can be used for learning.
If you want to use your trains for learning, you’ll need some trains that are fun.
5 Ways to Use Toy Trains for Learning
#1. Science of the Train
Our family loves science and anytime we can incorporate toy trains, it’s a bonus. Spend some time talking about the mechanics of trains. Use the toy trains you have on hand to talk about each part of the train. The rail cars are a great starting point. Talk about how the trains are connected, what makes the train’s engine run, and who drives the train?
#2. Challenge of Drawing a Train
With the help of looking at a toy train, a child can be given the challenge of drawing the train on a piece of paper. Keep in mind that drawing helps improve hand-eye coordination in your child. Not to mention drawing can help your memory improve and your awareness of surroundings to get sharper.
#3. History of the Train
You can take the excitement of seeing a real train and the convenience of holding a toy train and make it into a history lesson. The history of trains goes way back and it’s very fascinating to children. Take time to look at the toy train and compare it to what a real train looks like. If your child is old enough, together, you can create a timeline of the history of the train.
#4. Writing Assignment
One of the best parts of a child’s learning is using their imagination. Set up all of the toy trains your child has and place them on the table. Ask your child to make up a story about the train and write it out. If your child isn’t old enough to write, you can adapt this lesson and allow your child to draw a picture or tell you a story.
#5. Go Through the Motions
When you look at a train, there are tons of colors, parts, and pieces. You can teach a child so much just through looking at a toy train. You can go through the colors of the train, talk about the shapes on the train, and even count the different parts of the train. You can get so creative with this part of learning. This is a great approach if you have a child who doesn’t focus well. If they love trains, they’ll be willing to learn as much as they can about them.
Learning doesn’t need to be boring and these lesson ideas are a great example! Take your child’s passion for something and turn it into a learning experience. You can also go beyond the “toy train” stage and start visiting local train museums. Whenever you make learning fun, your kids are more likely to digest what you’re trying to teach them.
