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As children stack, create, interlock and try and try again, they aren’t simply building a simple structure, they are also building their minds. As the research clearly shows, the time, expense and effort you invested into this pastime is something that will pay off down the line, especially as they make advances in their education. The hands-on learning in the fun, collaborative environment will challenge them and add to their growing skill set!
Any parent looking for the best in brain-building activities has most likely seen the excitement around LEGO Bricks in recent years. An increasing number of educators are recognising the learning opportunities these little interlocking bricks can bring to their kids. As researchers have discovered, construction block play, including with Lego Bricks, offers a full spectrum of benefits to the budding mind. One of the reasons why Lego is so good for the brain is that it builds concentration span. The more a child is immersed and “lost” in an activity, the more a child's ability to focus develops. Playing with Lego develops a child’s self-confidence and is proven to lower anxiety and stress.
Playing with LEGO promotes social interaction, turn-taking skills, sharing, collaborative problem-solving and the learning of mathematical and technological concepts. It can be used to support children with communication and social developmental difficulties, as well as improving fine motor skills.
Some of these benefits are found in the usual areas, such as maths, spatial awareness activities and early engineering skills. Others are more surprising, especially social skills. Wherever your child is at, in terms of age and ability and interest, and wherever your child seems to be headed, whether it’s a career in technology, engineering or even art, we think the benefits of construction play are for everyone!
This week, Children’s Mental Health Week, proved to be the ideal opportune time to introduce the new Lego sets, the school has purchased (with funding from Mental Health and Well-Being Fund).
Here are some of the models the children created; God’s house, an amazing home, a dinosaur with big feet, a tower, Godzilla, a castle, a boat, a robot, a windmill, a picnic table, a sofa and television unit, a shop. A Christmas tree, a monster dog, and a garden.
When I asked the children how they felt whilst playing with the Lego pieces, they remarked, “relaxed,” “mega calm,” “de-stressed,” “ultra-calm.” Looks like it’s “Thumbs Up” for Lego Play Sessions in Primary 2.
Primary 2 has decided to timetable Lego play sessions into our school day, so that children can explore, create, and learn in a calm and relaxing classroom setting.
