Summer’s Here; Let’s Play!
The whole idea of “the last day of school” may be a bit more nebulous this year than most--there isn’t exactly an opportunity for kids to run out the school door as a class, but even with distance-learning in place, there’s still room for excitement about the freedom of summer ahead of them. With no classes, summer means one thing for most kids: play, play, and lots more play. While some parents may feel pressured to keep their children’s’ time tightly structured, experts agree that allowing time for children to play how they want is hugely beneficial in their development. Kenneth R. Ginsburg writes in the journal Pediatrics, “when play is allowed to be child-driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.”
The beauty of LEGO is that it is not simply a toy, but rather a medium for exploration and play. However your child likes to play, LEGO can offer a system that facilitates that form of expression without restricting your kid from branching out whenever the mood strikes them. Below are just a few of the ways LEGO can be used to help your kid play the way they want:
For kids who love seeing a project through to the end: So often we “allow” our kids to help with one or two steps in a bigger undertaking, but don’t let them take the lead to see something through to fruition. For many kids, however, the greatest sense of accomplishment comes from starting a project and seeing it through to completion. While many people don’t understand how “following instructions” could be fun, with LEGO, the act of building can provide that sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing something unique and amazing slowly take shape. If this sounds like your kid, consider one of our sculptures, each of which can make for a wonderfully engaging summer building project.
For kids with a passion for learning: School may be out for the summer, but many parents have children who simply never stop learning and are eager to take in new knowledge outside of a school setting. LEGO makes for a creative medium to teach children about art, math, science, geography, and more. Whether it be building cool machines that teach fundamentals of engineering and physics, maps to learn about our country or even guided lessons for younger children, let us help your child learn what they want, how they want.
For kids who want to let their imagination run wild: Of course, for most of us, our association with LEGO is that it’s a tool for pure free expression. Toss out the instructions, gather as many bricks as you can, and see what our minds come up with. Free play using LEGO can be not only a healthy way for children to develop their own passions, but it can also be an opportunity for parents and children to bond in an unstructured, unguided environment.
Whether your child feels energized and exhilarated by completing projects all by themselves, finds passion in learning new concepts and ideas, or just wants to stick some bricks together and see what they turn into, LEGO offers a way for them to stay engaged, stay active, and have fun now that summer is finally upon us. For more ideas about how to facilitate your child’s free play, check out our collection, and help your child make the most of their summer freedom.