Theme-Based Sensory Activities: Train Rides – Paths to Literacy

Here I share another sensory curriculum session plan full of ideas to support the theme of: Journeys on the Train.

Tactile

Work with the children to simulate and role play being on the train.
Sway and rock to simulate movement of the train.
Guardsman uniform – feel flag, blow whistle.
Dress up as ticket officer or train manager.
Make ticket machine to use, make shiny circles to add to the ticket machine
Make cardboard train.
Fan to create the breeze made when the doors or windows of the train are open.
Simulate rain on the window of the train using watering can on metal tin.

Visual

(some of these ideas would also be used in the tactile section also)

Play with brio train track.
Look at, feel and explore toy train.

Sound

Shakers to make sound of train
Horn, whistle
Sound of train passing through the station
Doors opening and closing

Taste

Sandwiches, biscuits eaten on the train. Picnic on the train!

Smell

Smell of sandwiches, biscuits, orange juice

Literacy

Make up a story about the journey the children might be making e.g. to the seaside, to a farm.

Down By the Station

Down by the station

Early in the morning

See the little pufferbellies

All in a row

See the station master

Turn the little handle

Puff, puff, toot, toot

Off we go!

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Let’s ride off together!

Repeat using

My little brown donkey
My little black buggy
My little blue trolley
My little green airplane
My little white sailboat

Numeracy

Count the train carriages.

train collage