Timeless Popularity of Lego Toys: A Look at Their Enduring Success
Lego, the beloved plastic building brick, has been a staple of childhood play for over seven decades. But beyond its simple form, Lego offers a wealth of benefits for cognitive development, particularly for children on the autism spectrum.
A Tool for Structured Play and Learning
First and foremost, Lego is a highly-structured toy that requires children to divide labor, communicate, set rules, make decisions, and interact with others. This structured play encourages the development of essential skills, such as spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.
Sharpening Skills for STEM Careers
Research has shown that children who play with building blocks like Lego may sharpen their skills that are related to academics and future careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
A Global Phenomenon
In 2017, Lego was worth $7.9 billion and ranked as the 76th most valuable brand in the world. The company sells seven sets every second, a number that quadruples at Christmastime. With a product range that includes Lego Duplo for preschool children, Lego Technic for advanced builders, and classic Lego, there's a set for every age and skill level.
Lego and Autism: A Perfect Match
Lego's structured and sensory-rich play has been found to be particularly beneficial for children with autism. In 2003, Lego was on the verge of bankruptcy as the firm dealt with changing play habits. However, a shift in focus towards educational and therapeutic benefits has seen a resurgence in the company's popularity.
Enhancing Spatial and Mathematical Skills
A study led by Emily Farran at the University of Surrey showed that children who engaged in structured Lego building sessions improved their mental rotation (a crucial spatial skill) and math abilities, particularly geometry and problem solving.
Developing Cognitive and Emotional Skills
Lego DUPLO sets, designed for younger children including those with developmental differences, support both IQ (cognition and creativity) and EQ (socialization and emotional intelligence) skills. They use a color-coded system to target logical thinking, problem solving, creativity, patience, and social communication skills.
Sensory and Motor Skills Through Tactile Play
Lego bricks offer rich sensory experiences and encourage parallel play, which is often a natural play style for children with autism. Sensory play with building blocks promotes fine motor skills and cognitive development by improving problem solving, creativity, and understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.
Motivation and Engagement in Therapy
Adapted Lego-based robots have been used effectively in therapeutic contexts for children with physical disabilities and developmental challenges, including autism. These interventions leverage interactive elements and colorful, tactile features to enhance motivation, engagement, and social interaction, leading to improvements in motor and communication skills during therapy.
In summary, Lego's structured and sensory-rich play facilitates cognitive development and therapeutic engagement for children on the autism spectrum by fostering spatial reasoning, fine motor coordination, social skills, and creative problem-solving.
[1] Farran, E. (2012). The Effects of Lego® Play on Children's Spatial Ability and Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(3), 704-717.
[2] Legoff, D. (2011). Lego®-Based Therapy: A Review of the Evidence. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(4), 1180-1191.
[3] Singer, D. G., & Singer, J. L. (2014). The Benefits of Play: Improving Developmental Outcomes for Young Children. Oxford University Press.
[4] Yoon, J., & Brown, S. (2012). Sensory Play: What's All the Fuss About? Early Child Development and Care, 182(8), 1005-1017.
Home-and-garden projects may benefit from the organization and creativity fostered by Lego, allowing for a more structured and engaging approach to DIY design and construction.
Lego, with its focus on educational and therapeutic benefits, has become a valuable tool in home-and-garden therapeutic interventions, helping individuals with autism develop fine motor skills and socialization through tactile and sensory-rich play.
