The Many Benefits of Building Blocks
Children these days are becoming increasingly attached to technology. Forgotten toys sit in dusty corners of shelves, abandoned by children who choose to play digital games on their phones or tablets instead. However, one toy appears to have transcended time and still remains popular with children these days: Lego. Did you know that these brightly coloured plastic bricks have been around since the 1940s?
The Lego Group began selling painted wooden blocks in 1946 before the toy evolved into the moulded plastic bricks that we know and love today. Over the years, many types of building block toys have emerged, but one thing has stayed the same: Building blocks help children to play well. Play is one of the tools that our NOVA Facilitators use to coach children in social-emotional learning and encourage positive behaviour.
Check out this stop-motion video, episode 3 of our #SHOWMSCS — Stay Home Our Way series!
How is Lego used in our NOVA Learning Labs?
Lego is a popular play item with the children in the NOVA Learning Intervention Programme. During weekly one-on-one Special Time with the NOVA Facilitators, the children often choose to play with Lego. These building blocks have proven to be an effective tool in building a meaningful bond with the children.
Our NOVA Facilitators use Lego to coach children in social-emotional learning and positive behaviour
How can children benefit from playing with Building blocks?
1) Building blocks build Creativity
There is no right or wrong way of building blocks. With few rules, it allows children to create just about anything from their imagination. You’ll be surprised at what a child can make with just a few blocks. The simple design of the blocks encourages children to stretch their creativity and explore new possibilities.
2) Building blocks boost Confidence
As there is no right or wrong in the block building process, the final creation is based solely on the child’s creativity and effort. Children will discover that they can bring their ideas to life through the use of building blocks. This results in a sense of accomplishment when they manage to build the final product, making it a powerful tool to help boost a child’s self-esteem.
3) Building blocks develop Problem-Solving Skills
Building blocks also help children develop problem-solving skills as they have to go through the trial and error of putting individual bricks together to form the final object that they have in mind. This creates endless teaching opportunities for parents and teachers to coach their child on how they can work through a problem.
4) Building blocks promote Social-Emotional Growth
When played in a group, building blocks together helps children to share and learn turn-taking skills. This teaches children to engage in healthy negotiations with their peers and make responsible decisions. As children play and learn from their peers, it also shows them the importance of being focused and following instructions, which are essential aspects of a child’s social-emotional development.
To sum up, building blocks are a great tool for children to express their creativity and develop important skills that they can apply to everyday life. If you have Lego— or any building blocks— at home, you can use them to spend Special Time with your children while teaching them valuable life lessons!
Amenda Shen
Facilitator, NOVA Learning Intervention Programme
Learn more about Morning Star’s Play therapy for children
NOVA Learning Intervention Programme is a school-based programme that provides support to mainstream Primary 1 and 2 children with Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) difficulties. Learn more about NOVA Learning Intervention Programme here
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