How The Day and LEGO® Play therapy are empowering children to reach their potential

LEGO Play therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years, as educators recognise the many benefits of this creative and engaging activity. 

For pupils who struggle with communication, social skills, or emotional regulation, building with LEGO bricks can provide a safe and supportive outlet for self-expression and exploration. 

In this case study, we’ll explore the benefits of LEGO Play therapy in more detail, and share the inspiring story of one teacher who used our Build the Change Tuesday resource to support a pupil in need.

The Day and Build the Change Tuesdays

The LEGO Group has teamed up with The Day, an online news source for schools, to offer a free weekly resource designed to inspire 7-13 year olds to explore sustainability news stories and reimagine the future through a creative Build the Change challenge. 

It’s designed to help students think critically, discuss, and debate a new sustainability issue every week, all while developing their reading, comprehension and discussion skills. Then they imagine how they would overcome a people or planet problem by using LEGO bricks or bits of recycling to reimagine the future, with the opportunity to share their design with their peers and decision-makers around the world. 

Build the Change Tuesday: Case study

We spoke to one UK primary school teacher, Audrey, who has been using LEGO bricks and our Build the Change Tuesday resource to provide support to a struggling pupil. 

As educators, it’s important to recognise that every child learns differently, and some require alternative methods to thrive in the classroom. In this case, the teacher identified the student’s interest in LEGO bricks and leveraged it to create a fun and engaging learning experience! 

Through the use of Build the Change, this teacher has been able to provide their pupil with a project-based learning opportunity that not only enhanced their academic performance, but also improved their confidence and overall well-being.

Speaking to Audrey, she shared how she first discovered Build the Change Tuesday after participating in our competition where children were challenged to construct an environmentally friendly structure like a bus shelter, underwater edifice, or cabin.

“At that time, the child under my care, who was 10 years old, had a brief attention span of only 5-7 minutes. I had been working with him for a month, searching for activities that would captivate his interest and enhance his focus. Competitions are a big draw for him so I was onto a winner straight away and the fact that it involved his favourite toy was an added bonus. The competition proved to be a huge success, as my charge was very fond of participating in competitions while being able to utilise his favourite toy.”

She added, “We worked our way through the programme entering each week with great excitement when we saw our creation published in the gallery. He also really enjoyed the fact sheet that came with the activity as it was paced at just the right level. Creating the models also allowed my charge to engage with other members of staff and his peers thus building relationships and his confidence by talking about something he loved.”

She also explained how using LEGO bricks has encouraged positive behaviour in her pupil, “For example, 10 minutes of this task will earn you 10 minutes of free choice LEGO Play. In the past children have earned LEGO bricks for good choices. When 10 bricks are reached then a free play session is earned.”

Audrey also highlighted some of the ways that she has incorporated LEGO Play in these sessions, including:

1. ICT – Stop Motion films using characters and building sets using LEGO bricks. 
2. STEM activities – mazes, cars, creations, 6 bricks, free building.
3. Literacy – character profiles of characters for stop motion films, story plots for stop motion films, and cartoon strips.
4. Maths – fractions, symmetry, pattern work, times table, addition, subtraction.
5. Health and WellBeing – Emotions work using characters.
6. Research – price comparison of LEGO brick sets on different websites, planning trips to LEGOLAND®.
7. Art – printing, inventing your own character, making 3D characters.
8. LEGO therapy groups.
9. History of LEGO bricks.
10. Exploring jobs people did at LEGOLAND®.

While discussing the benefits of utilising our resources in her classroom, she said, “By using Build the Change Tuesday and LEGO bricks, I strongly believe that I was able to develop resilience, concentration, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and communication in my charge. I also gave him the power to believe in himself enough to pick up a pencil and write a few words.”

Reflecting on the success of LEGO therapy, Audrey adds that, “While I am still scribing most of his work, he is attempting more than I thought he would be and I believe this is due to LEGO therapy. Problem-solving-wise it is absolutely amazing the things that he can create and the resilience he has developed. His concentration has increased so much that I have to use a timer to get him to stop a lesson!”

LEGO therapy is an excellent resource for teachers looking to support students with social and communication difficulties in the classroom. By using these interventions, primary school educators can help students develop important social skills and improve their overall learning experience.

Purpose & benefits of LEGO Play based therapy 

Childhood development is greatly enhanced by play, as it is an essential component that promotes learning and growth! By using LEGO bricks for block play, children can creatively expand their understanding of the world around them. For educators who want to help students with social communication difficulties and improve their social skills, LEGO Play therapy is an effective resource. 

Playing with LEGO bricks in a therapeutic setting promotes collaboration, sharing, turn-taking, and interactive problem-solving. This method can also target social skills, language, and motor skills goals as well as boost a pupil’s self-esteem. LEGO Play and therapy also present a positive opportunity for guided social problem-solving and facilitating the development of social skills that can be applied in other situations.

Build the Change Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, The Day and the LEGO Group bring educators a sustainability resource to instantly bring children up to speed on sustainability news, debate the issues, and create innovative solutions, in a hands-on way.

Build the Change Tuesday is our free, weekly sustainability resource for 7 – 13-year-olds, designed for busy teachers looking for a quick, preparation-free activity. 

This sustainability resource created in partnership with the LEGO Group and The Day allows students to think critically about, discuss and debate a new sustainability issue every single week. It’s ideal for settling students into the day and developing reading, comprehension and discussion skills. 

Find out more, and register for your free weekly resource, at: https://theday.co.uk/build-the-change/ 

https://www.lego.com/en-gb/sustainability/children/build-the-change 

References:

https://therapyfocus.org.au/on-the-blog/what-is-LEGO-therapy