Lego fun

Kindergarten readiness and creativity are not opposites; creativity is an important strategy for learning and thinking for children of any age. The importance of creativity has recently been recognized in industry and business. In the words of Sir Ken Robinson, “Creativity has become the new literacy.” He strongly believes that we need to nurture the imagination of every child and develop creativity.

Sir Ken explains the difference between imagination and creativity. Even though we might be able to imagine endlessly, to be creative we actually need to create something. That’s where Lego is so valuable. Kids can build practically anything, exercising and stretching both imagination and creativity as they play.

Although Lego and Duplo bricks are rectangles and limited because they can’t bend or be squished into other shapes, they can be used in a never ending variety of ways. Kids can build a structure and later use the same blocks to create an entirely new one. Hundreds, even thousands, of children can be given the same blocks and each will make something different. Wheels and people increase the choices for play.

We are not born with a particular amount of creativity and that’s all we get. Like many other strategies, creativity can be influenced. It can be both encouraged and discouraged. Unfortunately, recent research is showing that the level of creativity of children today is less than it was 10 or 20 years ago. We can nurture it by giving children opportunities to explore and to create.

These photos are from a display at our local library. Children were asked to show something about the Olympics. Some of the kids did, but with Lego, an idea can change completely, depending on what the child wishes to express. While the saying goes that “Play is in the child, not the toy,” there is an amazing interaction between kids and Lego that encourages play. What can your child create?

Lego and Duplo can be used for some unique ways to play for fun, learning, and kindergarten readiness all at the same time. There have been lots of posts recently about freezing pieces and they certainly made me wonder, especially who first thought of the idea.

Knowing that a container of liquid could get spilled before we ever got it to the freezer, the best choice was to use ones with lids. These clear ones from the deli section of the store were a good size and didn’t take too long to freeze. They are about the size of a small bowl. We filled them with water not quite to the top. Since the pieces were sitting right at the bottom, there was room for big Duplo pieces.

When the chunks were ready, both Big Sister and Little Sister, each had one. To catch the drips, I used a big tub on the floor. First, they held them until their fingers were cold, then put them down. They slid them back and forth in the tub, but that didn’t help with melting. Big Sister tried blowing on her ice and Little Sister tried to eat it. After a few minutes, I asked what could help melt the ice. Big Sister suggested hot water. She ran some warm water into her deli container, brought it over from the sink, and poured it on the pieces. After 3 or 4 trips, she used an empty plastic bottle which would hold more water.

Both kids played with the pieces of ice in the water, stirring with their hands, lifting them up to check and see if they were smaller, putting them back in, and checking to see how much more was more showing. Because the pieces were right at the surface, there were bits that stuck out from the beginning, but it was still several moments until they came completely out. The play didn’t stop when that happened but continued on for a few more minutes afterwards with just the bits of ice, water, and the Duplo.

What looked like a simple activity involved lots of learning: use of language, stimulation of the sense of touch, concentration, patience, and observation. The end result of getting the piece of Duplo out of the ice was a form of goal-setting. Although each child had a separate chunk of ice, social skills were needed to share the space and the activity. This was definitely fun! Have you tried this with your child?

Lego and Duplo are fun toys for both boys and girls, supporting their early learning and kindergarten readiness in all kinds of ways. Girls, as well as boys, will choose Lego and Duplo for their play. These pictures of Lego creations were made by a boy and girl of the same age. Can you tell … Continue reading Lego and Duplo Are Fun For Both Boys and Girls →