brikbuddy@gmail.com
brikbuddy@gmail.com
Lego interventions to support children's social development and promote positive mental health.
LEGO- Based Therapy
What happens during a LEGO-Based Therapy session?
During a LEGO-Based Therapy session, up to three children work together to build a LEGO model.
Each child takes on one of three specific roles to do this:
- The Engineer oversees reading and relaying the instructions. The Engineer must tell the Supplier what pieces to retrieve and tell the Builder how to build the model.
- The Supplier oversees finding the correct LEGO pieces. The Supplier must listen to the Engineer and figure out what piece to retrieve, and then given these pieces to the Builder.
- The Builder oversees physically building the model. The Builder must listen to instructions provided by the Engineer and receive the pieces that are retrieved by the Supplier.
Using this format provides each child with an opportunity to practice and develop a wide range of skills, including language skills (in both giving and receiving instructions) turn-taking, negotiating, sharing and collaborative social problem-solving. It also encourages children to reflect on their own actions and skills as well as give constructive feedback to their peers.
Think Bricks Model
"Think Bricks" refers to a LEGO-based therapeutic approach that uses LEGO bricks as a tool for communication, self-expression, and emotional processing for children. This approach, also known as LEGO-based therapeutic coaching or LEGO-based therapy, is a way for children to build and express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences using LEGO bricks.
Why use a Lego Based approach?
Playing with LEGO in a therapy setting promotes social interaction, turn-taking skills, sharing, collaborative problem-solving and the learning of concepts. It can be used to target goals around social skills, language and motor skills. By using a commonly adored tool like LEGO it capitalises on its existing motivation and supports self-esteem by allowing the participants to demonstrate their skills in a social situation. It also sets up a positive opportunity for guided social problem-solving to help develop social skills that can then be used in other situations.
Autistic children sometimes find it challenging to understand what is expected of them in a social situation, particularly within unstructured play activities. LEGO-Based Therapy provides a highly structured environment where everyone plays a specific role within the group. This can help Autistic children feel calm and relaxed as they are doing something that they enjoy and know precisely what to expect and what is expected of them.
Benefits
Customised to focus on the specific need/s of the individual child/children.
Can be used alongside any current individual plans.
Use the sessions at a time that fits in and around the needs of the child/school.
Allows other TA’s to stay in class
Cost efficient - can be booked as and when needed - from one off sessions to whole term weekly interventions.
All resources are provided.
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