Playing with Lego is a common childhood activity, so it is not shocking that Lego ideas have been designed around the educating of children. Due to its accessibility, it can be used to teach a variety of subjects with particular merit in numeracy and literacy. There are plenty of Lego ideas for educational activities that can take the opportunity of learning mathematical concepts and literacy to the next stage of educational development in an enjoyable format. With an array of Lego ideas to choose from, learning through play can be a successful way to challenge children in a homeschool environment.
Lego Ideas: Symmetry Lego Math Challenge
Something that is reflected in materials and nature is symmetry. An important part of math as well, you can use Lego ideas to help your children understand the concept of symmetry, its meaning and how it can be used in daily life. Being able to teach children mathematical terminology can be done via Lego and it is an effective strategy for deep learning. Lego blocks are present in nearly every child’s toy box and they provide a heap of educational opportunities using Lego ideas.
Defining symmetry for your child is a good introduction for your child. Explaining that symmetry is essentially when two sides are identical after being flipped or turned around. This can be demonstrated easily using Lego blocks and a Lego board. Due to symmetry being identical reflections, it is important to show that something divided down the middle, in the same way, is symmetry. Describing a mirror-like effect, you can highlight to your child that anything that can be identical is symmetrical.
You can show this concept to your children using a Lego board. Due to symmetry being split into two halves, place a red line in the middle of the Lego board. Take some blocks and specifically collect coloured blocks for the children to mirror. Create a pattern and present it to the child and ask them to mirror the pattern in the same symmetrical shape. This is a great way of encouraging them to understand symmetrical shapes in a kinesthetic way.
This is a great way of ensuring that your children understand the concept of symmetry because, if they do get it, they will be able to complete the pattern without any issues. If your child is struggling to create a symmetrical pattern, then you will be able to gently guide them on how we know what asymmetrical pattern is or how to make symmetrical shapes. This could be done by pointing out colours or the shape of the pattern.
Depending on the capabilities of your child, you can either create simple shapes or patterns to follow or create a more complex board for them to follow. Starting with more accessible patterns and building up to complex shapes allows you to see how well your child has grasped the concept of symmetry.
Lego luckily comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, so making a challenging board for your child can be easy through the materials available to you. Even if your child is struggling, it is a very visual experience which makes grasping it that much easier. As you create harder challenges, your child will have to appreciate spacing, colours, and lines.
A great way to see if your child has grasped the concept is to ask them if they split the pattern in half, would both sides look the same? Understanding symmetry helps with problem solving and creativity and encourages understanding of sequences. A perfect example of understanding mathematical concepts using Lego ideas.
Lego Math Games for Kids: Subtraction
A key part of learning math is subtraction. Knowing how to do this helps not only with math but financial situations that will help in daily life as your child grows. Using Lego ideas to teach subtraction provides an entertaining way to introduce an important math operation.
Subtraction has multiple terms, like takeaway or minus, so feel free to use the terminology that your child is most familiar with. Lego ideas provide a unique and fun method for your children to learn this concept. Lego is a very tactile object and all you will need for this subtraction game is a whiteboard, a whiteboard pen, Lego board, and some Lego pieces. Your child will count the dots found on the Lego pieces.
The Lego blocks come in a variety of shapes with lots of dots on them. Write an equation using the whiteboard that you would like your child to answer. Using the dots, let them subtract these objects from each other. Get your child to write the equation they used to solve it onto the whiteboard and take you through it using the numbers to explain. Getting them to write the numbers out aids with number recognition and encourages learning their mathematical development. Using repetition with this ensures that your child fully understands the concepts.
Lego ideas provide a creative alternative to traditionally dull concepts like learning maths. Using blocks to create a physical scenario allows your child to see math as a real-life aid rather than an abstract concept. Using creative solutions like this in a homeschool environment ensures your child can grasp different concepts.
Lego Ideas: Addition Lego Games for Kids
Possibly the first mathematical operation learned after number recognition is addition. Lego ideas provide exciting and creative opportunities for children to process the concept of addition and using tactile methods of learning to aid them with their sums. All that is needed for this homeschool lesson is a Lego board, Lego blocks, a pen or pencil, and a piece of paper. Make sure your child understands what the addition or plus sign is by making a plus sign on your Lego board for them so they have a visual understanding of it.
Write out numbers on paper and set corresponding Lego blocks beside them. Get your child to write out the equations so they can physically see how the equations are worked out. Using the kinesthetic tool of blocks, your child will be able to see addition in action and quite easily see how the answer is created. Using the numbers on paper encourages number recognition as well and helps your child write their equation down. To make it more challenging, increase the numbers and see how they solve their challenges. Lego ideas provide plenty of alternatives to drab lessons and assert a positive environment for children to learn in.