Since its introduction, Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends have found their way into the hearts of young fans and their parents around the world. While learning railway terms and laughing at the mischievous freight car antics, children learn many positive character traits.
Every locomotive in the yard claims to be “a really useful locomotive”. It’s one of the highest compliments you can get, and it teaches kids to value hard work and do their part in a job. When they rejoice with Thomas and his friends when they finally get this compliment from Sir Topham Hatt, the kids get excited and want to give it a try for themselves. They look for their own ways to be “really useful movers.” Wise parents encourage this tendency by assigning them child-sized tasks that really make a difference around the house and telling them when they have completed the work.
Obeying common sense and listening to the advice of others is another prominent trait in the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. Young children reenact these stories with Thomas and his friends, repeating to themselves, “Silly Thomas, I should have heard,” and painlessly internalize a lesson all parents want their children to take seriously: Listen to the good advice! ! It will save you a lot of pain and trouble.
Good manners and a good attitude are also an example of these cheerful engines and the people who work with them. Thomas and his friends say good morning, appreciate help, and are respectful to their drivers and Sir Topham Hatt. The courtesy lessons are even stronger because it is something “given” on the island of Sodor. If you are an honest engine, you speak politely to others.
And punctuality! Each engine strives to be “on time” and works very hard to avoid being late. This is such an important character trait for children to develop. Whether it’s getting ready for school or practicing the piano, punctuality is important and is enhanced by the knowledge that every little engine strives to be “on time.”
The engines’ response to newcomers helps children understand the importance of kindness in welcoming others and rejoicing in the “new kid” and their contributions. Having watched Thomas and his friends overcome initial uncertainties and misunderstandings and become good friends with the new engines, the boys see how they must respond with friendship to the newcomers in their peer group. Kindness is a character trait that you will see children practice in their role play with Thomas toys.
Another lesson, too, is dealing with difficult personalities. Even the best engines have petulant bouts, and some trucks and diesels in particular always seem to have a chip on their shoulder. For Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, this raises the lesson of how to deal with difficult people. Percy, for example, finds a creative way to teach naughty trucks a lesson, modeling ingenuity and a willingness to defend him. Children need to learn this too, that there are some difficult people in the world and that sometimes it takes creativity and determination to work with them and thwart the problems they can cause.
The Thomas the Tank Engine stories and play toys stand out as a very popular children’s series that actually teaches many positive character traits in a completely healthy environment. Parents appreciate that Thomas and his friends are hardworking AND polite. They are resourceful and even heroic, and at the same time they are respectful. They fight back when faced with difficult peers, but they learn to listen to the sensitive advice of those in authority. Sometimes this can be a rare combination of character traits in a children’s series these days! If you are looking to develop character, with toys and stories that young children love, take a look at Thomas and his friends! You are sure to be impressed.