Ah LEGO. When we hear that word we picture fond childhood memories of building castles, houses and even a pet dog to guard them. The bright colours and the satisfying click as one brick was built on top of another, and of course the frustration that came when that crucial piece couldn’t be found.
We think of LEGO as a children’s toy. Fun for them to play with but not much more to offer. And that’s where we’re wrong. From helping children develop vital skills, put what they learnt at school into practise or even reduce anxiety, LEGO actually offers a range of benefits for your child. Let’s explore this further.
It improves patience and concentration
Building LEGO requires patience, a skill which children need to develop, as they often want instant gratification. The realisation that good things take time and hard work can be a shock at first to a child, however, it’s essential for them to understand this as they get older.
Concentration is another important attribute needed to succeed with a LEGO creation. The sooner your child learns this essential life skill the better. Being able to concentrate even when the subject is not of much interest will help your child as they move into full-time education.
It’s a good STEM skill
Playing with LEGO can help children apply essential STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills to their daily lives. While they will study these subjects and learn the fundamentals through their education at school, it’s important they have the space to put these into practise in a non-academic environment.
Children are also likely to be interested in building LEGO, as it is a fun activity which appeals to them, however they probably won’t realise they’re having to use maths or science knowledge. Many suppliers offer LEGO education such as OKdo to support with this.
It’s creative!
While LEGO appears to primarily focus on engineering and fine motor skills, those are not the only development opportunities it offers. Building LEGO is also a creative activity which can help children express themselves and develop their artistic ability. It encourages them to think outside the box and be adventurous, allowing their imagination to grow.
It can lower anxiety
Children who are prone to anxiety or stress often benefit from focusing on a project. The problem solving and creativity involved in LEGO can distract children from anxious thoughts and can have a calming effect on them. LEGO therapy was recently introduced in the UK to help children on the autism spectrum improve their social communication skills and support them through social anxiety.