Our kids have an array of both new toys we aren’t familiar with, and hand-me-downs that spark nostalgia for us parents. But one of the few items that lives both in the past and present is the famous Lego.
These building blocks have come to be an iconic fixture in many playrooms because of their versatility! Families often keep them to pass down due to their durability and timelessness–– some even collect!
The nature of using the construction toys to build whatever our children desire develops their imagination, but it goes beyond that! There are more ways than one to play and learn with Legos for all ages, not just for 3 and up! With parental supervision, even young tots have much to explore.
1. Color sorting
The sensorimotor stage starts young, from birth up to 2 years old. To note, Legos come with a warning that they are a choking hazard for tots under 3 years old, but with parents watching carefully, you can turn into a color sorting game.
Using a recycled egg carton, you can label the top with colored paper as a kodigo for your toddlers to follow, then let them practice their color recognition as well as their hand-eye coordination!
2. Counting
Are the little ones getting acquainted with numbers? Songs and charts help a long way. So once they get the hang of it, start practicing counting with objects, like stacking up these Legos brick by brick!
Print or draw a table with a number labeled in each, and use this as a grid for them to place the blocks and count the right amount and sequence.
3. Spelling
With vocabulary and spelling, it’s always great to start early but small. Once we have the alphabet mastered, we start with very short, recognizable three-letter words (like the universal mom, dad, cat, and dog).
With this in mind, we can build on Lego blocks and write easy words with an erasable, water-based marker! First, build a wide layer of Legos and write down a word. Then with the second layer, write down the letters and scramble them for your tots to match and spell them out.
4. Tic-tac-toe
Once your kids grasp the full idea of building blocks, they’ll venture into designing whatever their heart desires! Castles, rocket ships, villages, and the like–– they will be the captain of each project alone. But to engage them in one-on-one play, introduce other forms of playing with Legos, like tic-tac-toe!
