Encouraging LEGO play in the classroom might foster children's mathematical abilities.
Revised Article
LEGO isn't just a timeless childhood toy, but a potential powerhouse for enhancing kids' learning, especially in math. A study has shown that including LEGO building activities in the classroom curriculum can lead to tangible learning improvements, particularly for children between 6 and 7.
This six-week study, involving schools in Surrey and Portsmouth, demonstrated that structured LEGO-based activities, led by teachers, resulted in significant enhancements in children's mental rotation skills and math performance.
Emily Farran, an expert in cognitive development and the study's lead author, explains, "We've long known that spatial reasoning and math are closely intertwined, yet most spatial training has occurred in lab settings. Our study reveals that classroom-based spatial training, facilitated by teachers, produces positive outcomes for students."
Spatial awareness and visualization are crucial foundational skills, as seen in test questions that require imagining objects from various perspectives or visualizing rotated shapes. These abilities are vital for early mathematics and geometry and are the backbone of problem-solving and critical thinking.
However, it's not all about dumping Legos on the floor and letting the kids play freely. The study involved teachers guiding their students through structured Lego-building exercises, encouraging them to think spatially, helping to foster and develop their spatial reasoning.
Additionally, this teaching method is cost-effective, as it doesn't require advanced technology or additional teaching staff.
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"Closing achievement gaps in mathematics and reducing disadvantage continues to be a challenge for educators and policymakers," says co-author Camilla Gilmore, an expert in mathematical cognition. "Simple, interactive, hands-on spatial activities can have a profound impact on learning and play a crucial role in improving children's achievement and enjoyment of mathematics."
Studies have also shown that spatial intervention programs, such as the Lego trial, support inclusion, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Farran emphasizes, "Our research underscores the importance of spatial reasoning in mathematics education. By incorporating spatial activities into the curriculum, we'll prepare the next generation to face the heightened demands for critical thinking, problem-solving, and data-use brought on by technological and AI-driven change."
This research has been published in Mind Brain and Education.
Originally published by Cosmos as LEGO in the Classroom: A Game-Changer for Math Learning?
Integrating LEGO-based activities into education-and-self-development programs can significantly enhance children's learning, particularly in the realm of mathematics and spatial reasoning. This method of learning, led by teachers, can bring about tangible improvements in kids' learning, as demonstrated in a recent study.
The study, published in Mind Brain and Education, revealed that structured learning environments using LEGO can help to close achievement gaps in mathematics and foster spatial awareness, a crucial foundation for critical thinking, problem-solving, and data-use in the future.
