Over the past few weeks the five year olds in the three to five room have been exploring the Space City Lego*.
As soon as I walked into the centre carrying the four boxes I had children questioning me, “Is that for us?” I smiled and explained that it was. They have since been putting them together in small groups with their Early Childhood Teacher.
While at first only five stayed for the entire hour long process (of putting together the smallest box) the grins on their faces when they proudly showed off their work was priceless.
Through this joint venture they were learning and problem-solving through the Lego (Outcome 4.1 & 4.2, DEEWR, 2009). The children were working together to solve their problems, and therefore playing and socially extending their skills (Outcome 3.1, DEEWR, 2009). As the Lego pieces are small, it works on furthering the children’s fine motor development, in particular their hand/eye coordination (Outcome 3.2, DEEWR, 2009). Using the visual representations from the instructions to read and guide their building (Outcome 5.2, DEEWR, 2009). All the while talking through the processes (Outcome 5.1, DEEWR, 2009).
Over the next few days they continued to put together the pieces of the Lego. Each time working on a bigger box. Before long they began to discuss the instructions, and even made their own. Through this interaction with the instructions the children are being exposed to print and text in a context which they are able to find helpful and realistic (Outcome 5.2, DEEWR, 2009).
They have enjoyed exploring the Space City Lego and now around 7-10 students will sit and help their Early Childhood Teacher during the building process.
While the box states that it is aimed at the older children, those between 5-12 years, the almost four – five year olds would sit and put together the Lego. Most without needing the instructions.
After watching the children, mainly boys put together this Lego, I wonder if there is any Lego specifically aimed at girls or that is gender neutral?
*Note: These are no longer available for giveaway as it has closed.
[Images taken from lego.com]
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Carly,
Why don’t you try leaving the kids alone on a LEGO Apple Tree House or Hillside House.
See how the boys and girls interact and who looses interest first
- ellie -
Great post!
I would have thought Lego was pretty gender neutral in itself as it is up to the kids to build what they want with it (once they pull the space stuff apart). There is a Lego “Belville” range specifically targeted at girls though, with lots of pink and white bricks. :)
I was fortunate enough to have a younger brother obsessed with Lego, I played with it as much as he did. :)