Do the children grasp the Historical Present, where we imagine it happening right now, in front of our eyes? The reason we use it is to add to the vividness, the immediacy of the action.
Similarly, I hope someone will be able to explain for you and me, why we use the tenses you are enquiring about.
As for the first, perhaps if they could imagine themselves transported into the future, and describing what they are doing or seeing. "I see all the pupils and they are all going to school." But again, as with the Present Progressive, I'm stuck trying to put into words, why?.
I hope your post prompts a lot of responses, gets a few minds working on this one for you.