Anyone else swimming in transportation toys? Transportation toy sort is a blast!
Transportation toy sort begins with items we already own.
Cars.
Trucks.
Airplanes.
Oh, my!
Using transportation toys, you already own to introduce or reinforce a concept is a true way to get preschoolers thinking!
Why? – Because children are already invested in something they value as their own. Bring current toys into your Breakfast Invitations and watch participation soar!
RELATED: Want to learn more about quick and easy at-home activities? Check out our STARTUP GUIDE.
Transportation activities for preschoolers can be a blast to play!
Even better?
Preschoolers are taking an object they come in contact with daily (cars, trucks, airplanes) and are now building upon prior knowledge.
Your preschooler may have already known the car has wheels and the airplane has wings.
When they begin to classify and sort by land, air, and water, preschoolers expand thinking further.
Now, the plane has wings, but I associate the airplane as a form of transportation that moves in the air.
Of course, a preschooler may have known this before the game, but they are now categorizing and comparing it with other transportation forms. Sorting is a math skill your child will use for life.
Children now have the opportunity to see an old toy in a new way.
RELATED: The NAEYC thinks transportation is pretty important as well! This educational article will help explain.
Transportation toy sort comes alive!
Of course, there is a time and place when writing and fine motor grip is important. In fact, if you are new to our page, you will see that we do not turn to worksheets even then.
Learning needs to be touched.
Understanding needs to be explored.
Play needs to be child-led.
After introducing a new learning prompt to my preschooler, I try and stand back and watch his thinking.
Many times I see my idea evolve into something different that is still beneficial to his learning development.
RELATED: Curious about what I look for when choosing a new toy for my boys? See our favorites HERE.
My four-year-old sorted and then created a tunnel under the table.
Look, mom! I am pushing this long row of cars in the tunnel!
And there we go!
I introduced sorting different types of transportation, and my four-year-old transitioned the activity to imaginary play.
BOTH are valuable for my preschooler’s development.
RELATED: How do we store our cars, trucks, planes, and other open-ended toys? Visit our playroom HERE.
Let’s get this transportation toy sort activity set up!
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If you follow us on Instagram, you know that I like to show you how to set up Breakfast Invitations in a flash!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the extra time to prep with much cutting and pasting.
I do have time to grab items we already own and put down some painter’s tape to help guide learning.
Here’s what you’ll need to play!
Days with Grey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
- Painter’s tape – I like to use the delicate painter’s tape for my hardwood floors.
- Washable markers
- Transportation toys
Let’s get this transportation game set up!
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Write land, air, water on three small pieces of paper.
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Make three rows with your painter’s tape.
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Place a large bucket of transportation toys to the left of your setup. Why place it on the left? Read about why HERE.
Ideally, that quick prompt is all you need to get started. Sometimes, he may need a little more.
I come down to my preschooler’s level to investigate a little further. That way, we make eye contact, and he sees that I am engaging in his learning.
Look! This says water, this says land, and this says air. I wonder if we can sort our transportation?
This firetruck has wheels. Does it move on the land, water, or fly in the air?
Remember, completing the task may not be the goal. Exposing to different ways to sort transportation is.
When your preschooler takes longer than you had planned, or gets distracted, encourage thinking with simple prompts or let them be. Your preschooler may surprise you in what they discover on his own! – add this idea to your predictable routine to inspire learning through play.