Nursery Blog - 10.01.2025

10th January 2025

Exploring Trains and Speed in Nursery Class: A Learning Adventure

In Nursery, we recently embarked on an exciting topic all about transport, with a special focus on trains! The children engaged in a variety of fun activities that sparked creativity and developed key skills in maths, science, and art.

The Train Ride Book: A Journey Begins

Our adventure started with the picture book The Train Ride by June Crebbin. The children were captivated by the story and illustrations, imagining the sights and sounds of a train ride. The book helped introduce the concepts of travel and movement in a fun, engaging way.

Investigating Speed with Friction Ramps

We also explored speed through hands-on experiments using friction ramps. The children used toy cars on ramps of different heights and angles to see how the slope and surface affected the speed of the cars. This activity helped them understand the concept of friction and how it impacts movement, just like trains on their tracks.

Subitising with Three Objects: Early Math Skills

To build early math skills, the children practiced subitising, or recognising the number of objects without counting. Using toy trains or blocks, they identified groups of up to three items, which laid the foundation for their number sense and counting skills.

Train Painting with Shape Printing

Our creative journey included making train paintings using shapes and printing techniques. Children stamped circular shapes for wheels and rectangular ones for the train’s body, creating unique train art. This activity helped develop fine motor skills and an understanding of 2D shapes.

Sensory Train Tracks: Loading and Unloading Fun

We also created a sensory train track, where children could load and unload materials like sawdust, oats, and pasta. They enjoyed pretending to be conductors while practicing coordination, vocabulary, and problem-solving as they handled their “cargo.”