All Aboard for Preschool Fun: Trains!

The Locomotive
by
Claude Monet, 1875

A few years ago I researched and performed a number of lapsit programs for a local museum. Each week was a specific theme and this is the one I offered on trains. I hope you find some use for it in your work. 

STORY STRETCH

Choo Choo Train

This is a choo choo train (bend elbows)
Puffing down the track (rotate arms in rhythm)
Now it's going forward (push forward, continue rotating motion)
Now it's going back (pull arms back, continue rotating motion)
Now the bell is ringing (pretend to pull the cord - ding ding)
Now the whistle blows (hold fist near mouth and toot toot)
What a lot of noise it makes (cover ears)
Everywhere it goes. (stretch out arms)

Zoo Train (Tune: Down By the Station)

Down by the Zoo Train
Next to the zoo
On came an animal
Do you know who?

The engineer says an animal...such as "A Kangaroo came and it was hopping."

Sing: We picked up a kangaroo
And what do you know
This is the way the train started to go.
(Hopping, Hopping) watch us go.
(Hopping) fast then (Hopping) slow
(Hopping) down, then (Hopping) back
Watch us (Hop) around the track.

SONG

Down by the Station

Down by the station
Early in the morning
See the little puffer bellies

All in a row
See the station master
Turn the little handle

Puff, puff, toot, toot

Off we go!

I've Been Working On The Railroad

I've been working on the railroad,

All the live-long day.
I've been working on the railroad,

Just to pass the time away.
Can't you hear the whistle blowing,
Rise up so early in the morn,
Can't you hear the captain shouting,
"Dinah, blow your horn."

Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow, your horn?
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow, your horn.

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah,
Someone's in the kitchen, I know,
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah,
Strummin; on the old banjo.

BOOKS

All Aboard! The Best Books for Kids Who Love Trains – Pre-K/Growing Reader
https://www.readbrightly.com/childrens-train-books/


CRAFTS

A Preschool Train Craft: The Little Engine that Could

https://www.brighthubeducation.com/preschool-crafts-activities/45170-the-little-engine-that-could-craft/

Easy Train Paper Craft
https://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/transportation/mtrain.html

Train Crafts for Kids
https://entertrainmentjunction.com/train-crafts-kids/


CURRICULUM

Trains Preschool Lesson Plan
https://preschoolcurriculumbytheme.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/trains/


STORIES

Railroad Folklore
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/railroad-folklore/

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Karen Chace 2018 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to this page via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.