Playtime is an important part of childhood, and one of the most popular toys that kids love is LEGO. Many people see LEGO as just colourful bricks for building, but it does so much more than that. Playing with LEGO helps children learn in many ways.
In early childhood, a child’s brain develops quickly. In fact, about 90% of brain growth happens by the age of five. As kids play with LEGO, they have fun while also learning skills that will help them throughout their lives.
LEGO play improves imagination and problem-solving skills also teaches teamwork. In this blog, we will look at the many benefits of LEGO for young children and how it supports their overall development.
Benefits of LEGO For Child Development
LEGO play is a fun way for children to learn essential skills. Let me tell you how much it is worth to play!
Boosts Fine Motor Skills
Playing with LEGO helps young children strengthen their hands and fingers. Every time they pick up and connect those tiny bricks, their fine motor skills get better.
This is important because it helps with everyday tasks like holding a pencil or using a fork. The more they play, the more control they develop over small movements.
Study found that children who can manage small tasks well tend to do better in class.
Here’s how LEGO play helps build these skills:
LEGO Activity | Skill Gained | Everyday Use |
---|---|---|
Picking up bricks | Strong grip | Holding small items like crayons |
Stacking bricks | Hand-eye coordination | Building towers and shapes |
Connecting pieces | Dexterity | Using buttons or zippers |
Separating bricks | Finger control | Buttoning shirts or tying shoes |
Following instructions | Planning skills | Completing puzzles or craft projects |
Source: Variation in children’s classroom engagement
LEGO play not only makes kids have fun but also helps them in daily life:
- Writing: A better grip helps kids hold a pencil properly.
- Eating: Improved dexterity makes it easier to use forks and spoons.
- Getting Dressed: Skills like buttoning clothes or tying shoelaces become easier.
I hope you get the idea of how Lego play can help with motor skills. Now, let’s talk about other benefits. Keep reading!
Encourages Problem-Solving
LEGO is great for teaching kids how to solve problems. They try different ways to build things, and if something doesn’t work, they figure out how to fix it.
My own kids often start with one idea, and by the time they’re done, they’ve built something completely different because they had to find solutions along the way. It’s a fun way for them to learn critical thinking.
Promotes Creativity
LEGO lets kids use their imagination to create whatever they want. There’s no right or wrong way to build. My child once built a rocket with LEGO blocks, then turned it into a spaceship with extra parts from other toys.
This freedom to build anything encourages them to think outside the box and explore their creativity.
Improves Focus and Patience
Building with LEGO takes time and attention. Kids need to stay focused to finish their projects, which teaches them patience.
I’ve seen my children sit quietly for hours, determined to finish their creations. Over time, they learn that staying focused and not giving up leads to something they can be proud of.
Increase Spatial Awareness
LEGO helps kids understand how things fit together. They learn to make stable structures and get better at judging size and shape.
This is important for skills like organizing their toys or even packing a bag for school. It’s also a great way to build early math skills without them even realizing it.
Builds Self-Confidence
Every time a child finishes a LEGO creation, they feel a sense of accomplishment. Completing a project, no matter how small or big, boosts their confidence.
My kids always love to show off their builds, feeling proud of what they’ve created. This confidence helps them tackle bigger challenges in the future, both in play and in life.
Encourages Teamwork and Sharing
LEGO is perfect for group play. When children work together on a project, they learn to share pieces, take turns, and listen to each other’s ideas. It’s a fun way for them to practice teamwork and learn how to cooperate with others.
I’ve seen my kids work with friends, each taking on different roles, and they enjoy the experience of building something together.
Improves Communication Skills
Playing with LEGO also helps children express their ideas better. When they talk about their creations or explain how they built something, they learn to describe what they’re thinking.
If they’re playing with others, they have to explain their plans and listen to feedback. This back-and-forth builds stronger communication skills.
Relieves Stress and Anxiety
For many kids, playing with LEGO can be relaxing. The repetitive action of building and the focus it requires helps them calm down after a busy day.
I’ve noticed my own children using LEGO as a way to unwind when they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It’s a peaceful, screen-free activity that keeps them engaged and calm.
Teaches Perseverance
Sometimes things don’t go as planned while building with LEGO. Pieces might fall apart or not fit the way they imagined.
This teaches children the value of patience and the importance of sticking with a task, even if it gets frustrating.
Over time, they learn that mistakes are part of the process and that they can always rebuild and try again.
Introduces Basic Math Concepts
LEGO naturally introduces kids to early math ideas like counting, sorting, and comparing sizes.
Without even realizing it, they start learning about patterns, symmetry, and even basic addition or subtraction when they put blocks together or take them apart. This hands-on learning makes math fun and easy to understand.
Strengthens Memory and Planning Skills
As kids build with LEGO, they often need to remember what pieces they need and where they go, especially if they’re following instructions or a pattern. This helps improve their memory.
They also get better at planning ahead, deciding what they want to build and how to make it happen, step by step.
Supports Language Development
Talking about their creations helps kids expand their vocabulary. They learn new words to describe colors, shapes, and actions as they build.
I’ve seen my own children improve their storytelling by making up stories about the things they build, adding characters and creating adventures. This playful way of using language helps them grow as communicators.
Encourages Independent Play
LEGO is great for solo play. Kids can sit down with a set of bricks and entertain themselves for hours, building whatever comes to mind.
This encourages them to think independently, make their own decisions, and enjoy the process of creating something on their own, which helps them develop self-reliance.
Develops Logical Thinking
As children build more complex structures, they start to understand logic, what fits where, how things are balanced, and how to make their creations sturdy.
This helps them think in a more organized way and approach problems step by step, which is useful in everyday life as well as in school.
Introduces Engineering Concepts
Even though they might not realize it, kids learn basic engineering while playing with LEGO. They figure out how things like balance, structure, and strength work by trying different ways to build.
Over time, they start understanding how things fit together and why certain designs are more stable than others.
Boosts Emotional Development
LEGO can also help children understand and manage their emotions. If their structure falls apart or doesn’t turn out as planned, they learn how to handle frustration and disappointment.
Overcoming these small setbacks builds resilience and helps them cope with challenges more calmly in the future.
Conclusion
LEGO is a powerful tool for early childhood development. It helps children build important skills like creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Playing with LEGO encourages kids to focus and concentrate while having fun. Each time they play, they learn and grow in many ways.
Supporting your child’s LEGO play is an easy way to help them develop skills they will use for a lifetime. When your child plays with LEGO, they are not just having fun; they are also building a strong foundation for their future.
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)