Did you know that when your child plays around trains it goes beyond having fun?
We all know that children love to play with toys, and trains are no exception. Toy trains have been enjoyed by all generations. And of course, we know that playing with toys provides a great opportunity for kids to relax, let their creativity out, and pass some time. But playing trains means more than the mentioned benefits.
Playing trains is how children learn necessary values and learnings they can carry with them through their lives. In this article, we will discuss the importance of teaching kids about trains and encouraging them to play with them.
Why should we introduce our children to trains?
Little boys love trains! Who does not fancy moving railroad cars, assembling them, or playing with them? If you have a model train, and your little boy has experienced putting pieces together, you are helping him enhance his motor skills and eye-hand coordination skills. But more than that, your child would also need to plan where each piece will fit, make sure that the tracks are smooth and free from distraction, and choose the ideal pieces for tracks so they can incorporate other track essentials like tunnels, bridges, and level crossings.
You see, introducing him to trains (or model trains, if you have more budget) teaches him life skills that are often not taught in school. They are honed to be innovators, artists, problem solvers, and patient individuals. Little boys who play around building trains and tracks learn the importance of hard work too.
These are just some of the many lessons your child could pick up along the process of playing with trains or model trains. Here are more benefits that will surely make you buy a train set for your little child. Let’s now dive deeper:
Improves fine motor skills – Honing good fine motor skills at an early age is greatly beneficial to the development of your little boy, as these are the skills that your child will need for drawing, writing, using utensils, and even tying shoelaces. Putting the trains and tracks together, and knowing where to incorporate bridges and tunnels will all help refine your child’s fine motor skills.
Enhances communication and vocabulary skills – Fiddling with train sets can help improve your child’s vocabulary and communication skills. How? They will learn a lot of words they didn’t hear before. They are unconsciously improving their communication skills when they are describing or telling a story about how they built their trains to their families and friends!
Learning concepts – When your child is playing, you can engage him in a conversation about the past, present, and future of trains. Learn about the history and concepts of trains to make his playtime more worthwhile and educational. Watch out as your child asks you many questions!
Improves imagination and creativity – Just like painting, helping your child assemble a train set tickles his imaginative side. Perhaps he has a finished product in mind, or you can help explore many possibilities with him. Teaching him how to assemble train sets will help him become more creative—just encourage him to incorporate his other toys with his train set to make it more personalized!
Problem-solving skills – In school, children are often spoonfed with ideas and information. At home, you can teach your child to become a problem-solver. Teach him the basics of train modelling and let him guide the way. Through trial and error, your child will figure out how to assemble a train, a circular track to make his train go round. The ability to see a certain item and being able to relate it to a connected piece (just like a puzzle) is a lifelong skill that will become handy in school and the life outside it.
Gross motor skills – Spatial awareness is important when assembling train sets. You see, a child needs to crawl, reach out for things, lie on the floor, and a whole lot more just to assemble the train of their dreams.
Enhances cognitive skills – Putting together train and track parts requires logical thinking. It also gives your child an opportunity to practice colors, as well as numbers. All in all, it will enhance your child’s cognitive skills.