Brio Trains

One of my go-to set-ups for the patio area or the outdoor stages during the first weeks of a new school session is a Brio train and track set-up.

Trains, in my experience, are a comfortable and familiar toy for many children, especially the boys.  As we all know, helping a child become engaged with materials helps in the process of separating from their parent or caregiver.  

I have seen trains to be very helpful in engaging a child and keeping their attention, facilitating a smooth separation.

Trains are also very open-ended, allowing younger children and older children to engage with them at the same time and in different ways, relative to each child's development.  Some children enjoy building and modifying track systems, while others are content to connect and drive trains.