Background

My boy wants to be a train driver when he grows up. I asked why the train not other transport? He said trains are muscular and can pull many cargoes and passengers. So why not giving him a glimpse of how the life of a train driver is like now? ☺

長大後，我兒想成為一名火車司機。我問為什麼火車不是其他交通工具？他說，火車非常強壯，可以拉動許多貨物和乘客。
长大後，我儿想成为一名火车司机。我问为什麽火车不是其他交通工具？他说，火车非常强壮，可以拉动许多货物和乘客。

Three stations - our creation this afternoon.

He began with this simple bundle some three years ago

He has been busy commanding his trains at both weekdays and weekends. He began pursuing his adventure with a small bundle. At that time, he was so little that he could not connect the track by himself. Day after day, his track compilation is now getting bigger and different in shapes and he can come up with his own track ideas.

他平時和周末一直忙於玩火車。他從一小的套裝開始。那時候，他太小了，不能自己建火車軌，需要我完全幫他。日復一日，他有自己建軌的想法了。
他平时和周末一直忙於玩火车。他从一小的套装开始。那时候，他太小了，不能自己建火车轨，需要我完全帮他。日复一日，他有自己建轨的想法了。

How enquiry-based learning exists at home? 在家的探索為主的學習

1. His creativity materalises in the track building. He comes up with his idea and communicate it across. We then discuss and work out the size and shape;
2. I intent to counter his plan with my suggestions. Here, he learns how to accept and appreciate ideas of someone else. It is not just about him. If he has a better plan, he needs to explain and persuade;
3. He learns teamwork. We connect two ends of the track together. I am responsible for one end and the other end goes to his responsibility;
4. He strengthens his maths by counting pieces of track he needs;
5. He has a glimpse of some simple physics. I explain how different types of materials hold, which are stronger, how evaluated tracks an bridges are built, why wheels must be round and why springs are installed for suspension;
6. He has an idea that trains serve different purposes, have different appearances and speed and are powered by different energy sources;
7. He must love his toys and behave properly. He tides up and packs away with me after each play (Compared with your usual house in the US, Canada and UK, flats/apartments in Hong Kong are typically small and cramped, averaging 600 to 800 square feet each).

I explained to him how bridges and evaluated tracks are built and which building materials are stronger

Teamwork makes things happen

• 他的創造力在賽道建設中得到體現。他提出了自己的想法，並通過交流。然後我們討論並製定出尺寸和形狀;
  我打算用我的建議來反制他的計劃。在這裡，他學習如何接受和欣賞別人的想法。這不僅僅是關於他。如果他有更好的計劃，他需要解釋和說服;
• 他學習團隊合作精神。我們將軌道的兩端連接在一起。我負責一方，另一方負責。
• 他通過計算火車軌他需要的來增強他的數學能力。 他瞥見了一些簡單的物理學。我解釋了不同類型的材料是如何保持的，哪些材料更堅固，以及如何評估跟踪橋樑的建造;
• 他知道列車有不同的目的，有不同的外觀和速度;
• 他一定愛他的玩具，並且表現得很好。每次遊戲結束後，他都會跟我一起收拾東西（與美國，加拿大和英國的普通房子相比，香港的公寓通常都是小而狹窄的，平均每間600-800平方英尺）。

• -他的创造力在赛道建设中得到体现。他提出了自己的想法，并通过交流。然後我们讨论并製定出尺寸和形状;
  我打算用我的建议来反制他的计划。在这里，他学习如何接受和欣赏别人的想法。这不仅仅是关於他。如果他有更好的计划，他需要解释和说服;
• 他学习团队合作精神。我们将轨道的两端连接在一起。我负责一方，另一方负责。
• 他通过计算火车轨他需要的来增强他的数学能力。 他瞥见了一些简单的物理学。我解释了不同类型的材料是如何保持的，哪些材料更坚固，以及如何评估跟踪桥樑的建造;
• 他知道列车有不同的目的，有不同的外观和速度;
• 他一定爱他的玩具，并且表现得很好。每次遊戏结束後，他都会跟我一起收拾东西（与美国，加拿大和英国的普通房子相比，香港的公寓通常都是小而狭窄的，平均每间600-800平方英尺）

Conclusion

Learning is not limited to classroom learning. Enquiry-based learning at home may not instill exam-oriented hard knowledge to children. However, enquiry-based learning at home, with first-hand experiments, can boost their learning desire in an enjoyable and adventurous way. This is not what after-school cramming can give and be compared to.

學習不限於課堂學習。在家玩遊戲式學習不可能給兒童灌輸以考試為導向的硬知識。但是，孩子們愉快地學習。這不是課後補習所能給的。
学习不限於课堂学习。在家玩遊戏式学习不可能给儿童灌输以考试为导向的硬知识。但是，孩子们愉快地学习。这不是课後补习所能给的。

Photos and thoughts are original.