Aiden loves trains. I saw this book at Barnes and Noble and knew he would love it.
Freight Train
All of the colorful train cars got me to thinking about color matching. We had magnetic letters nearby and thus this color matching and letter practice activity was born.
I asked Aiden to match the colored letters to the train cars. I showed him an example of what I meant. I’m going to place the red T onto the red caboose. At first, he put the letters on the cars at random. I showed him another example of what I meant. He understood and began matching the colors himself.
I asked questions like:
- What color do you have?
- What color is the letter I?
- What letter are you holding?
- Can you find a red letter?
- Can you find the letter C?
- Where is an uppercase/big M?
- Do you see a blue lowercase k?
Aiden continued this game for quite some time.
After he was finished matching colors, he decided to clean up the magnetic letters. He picked them up and placed them in their container. {Nothing like a little fine motor skill practice.} Then, he dumped the letters out just so he could pick them up again.
He alternated picking up the letters and dumping them out again and again often choosing a new location for the falling letters.
Each time, he was very proud of himself for picking up his letters.
I love how one activity often leads to another all the while children are practicing skills they need and having fun.
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Brilliant! I love this idea – this is my son’s favorite book and we often go through the colors but I never thought to do it this way! Love it!
Becca@R We There Yet Mom? recently posted..Zion National Park ~ Utah
Thanks, Becca! Glad you like it.
What a fun and educational activity! My kiddos LOVE trains. I’ll definitely have to see if I can find this book!
Jenny @ Creatively Blooming recently posted..Growing Borax Crystals
If your kids love trains, they will definitely enjoy this book.
What a fun idea! My little guy loves this book, but I never thought to do color matching this way, we’ll definitely be giving this a try soon.
We read the book so many times, I wanted to create an activity to go along with it. The color matching seemed like the perfect activity.
This is such a great way to work on letters! Genius!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Read.Explore.Learn.- Gilbert the Goldfish Wants a Pet
love this idea! book-based activities are my fave! he does look awfully proud of himself, doesn’t he? *pinning it*
Thanks, Andie! They are my favorite, too.
I love the initial activity, and all the extensions! Thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory =)
maryanne @ mama smiles recently posted..Learning Laboratory: The Discovery Museums
Thanks, MaryAnne!
Love it! That book is great. My toddler basically self-initiated the same type of thing when we had that book at home (from the library).
I love when kids create their on learning activities.
Wonderful color matching activity to accompany this story! We just adopted this beautifully illustrated book this week when one of our daughters used her piggy bank savings to buy her train-loving little brother a copy.
heather at wordplayhouse® recently posted..building family connections and creativity: ways to embrace do-nothing moments
That was so sweet of her. I think every train lover will enjoy this book.
I love this idea!! Pinned it.
Malia {Playdough to Plato} recently posted..Readathon 2012: Fighting the Summer Slide
Thanks, Malia!
I adore this idea! So clever. My little guy loves trains so I see adding this to our arsenal of train themed activities.
Thanks, Sarah! We love trains around here, too! Heading to your site now to see your train activities.
How fun! Just wanted to invite you to stop by and link up your Children Book inspired post (New or Old) in our 6 Week Summer Reading Adventure http://inspiredbyfamilymag.com/2012/06/12/summer-reading-adventure-week-1-tickle-monster/.
Have a great week!
Mari
http://www.inspiredbyfamilymag.com
mari recently posted..Apple Pie in an Apple
Thanks, Mari! I’ll stop by.