Even though they're made of plastic, I have to think that even Maria Montessori would have approved of Legos. The open-ended concept makes the creative possibilities unlimited.
Last year, Rosemary Beales, a Godly Play trainer in Virginia posted the question on GP's Facebook page whether anyone had ever offered Legos during the Response Time before. The responses were mixed. Many people had positive experiences, but others also had some weapon-building going on.
In my context, most children start showing less interest in the story materials after the third grade. Whether this is because of their age or the fact that I don't have a Godly Play room with all of the materials, I can't exactly say. But I do know that both boys and girls in the 4th and 5th grades are avidly interested in Legos. I am very much considering adding a Lego station to our next after-school club to help draw in some of the older kids who are not attracted to the story materials and maybe not big on the art materials either.
Recently, my ten-year-old son made this church out of Legos below during his own play time at home.
My favorite part is the Christ Candle that he made out of pieces from the Lego Knights series.
Last year, Rosemary Beales, a Godly Play trainer in Virginia posted the question on GP's Facebook page whether anyone had ever offered Legos during the Response Time before. The responses were mixed. Many people had positive experiences, but others also had some weapon-building going on.
In my context, most children start showing less interest in the story materials after the third grade. Whether this is because of their age or the fact that I don't have a Godly Play room with all of the materials, I can't exactly say. But I do know that both boys and girls in the 4th and 5th grades are avidly interested in Legos. I am very much considering adding a Lego station to our next after-school club to help draw in some of the older kids who are not attracted to the story materials and maybe not big on the art materials either.
Recently, my ten-year-old son made this church out of Legos below during his own play time at home.
My favorite part is the Christ Candle that he made out of pieces from the Lego Knights series.
So, to continue Rosemary's conversation: How do you feel about Legos either in a Godly Play or Montessori setting?
That is a brilliant idea, Sheila! I'm sure Maria Montessori would have loved Legos. I love all the wonderful things my kids make from Legos, they construct the prescribed model only once and then take it apart and make their own. Talk about fine motor skills! I was also inspired by the creative ways the children worship. I told you how after singing a couple worship songs with me my boys got to building crosses from wooden blocks.
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful, Asmic! So wonderful that their worship is so creative at such a young age.
DeleteGreat idea. Stealing your idea, friend. We're giving Godly Play a trial run this fall for children in grades 4 through 6 this year. Your idea to incorporate Lego into the response time may be just the thing. By the way, have you seen The Brick Bible? I don't like all the depictions they have in it, but it may stir some creative juices.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/The-Brick-Bible-ebook/dp/B006Z8RJMS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378078449&sr=1-1&keywords=the+brick+bible
Hi Troy,
DeleteGlad that you are going to try Legos as well! I'd love to hear your feedback in the process.
About the Brick Bible, I did a little research and I would be careful not to give it to a child. Apparently, there are some violent and sexual scenes in the OT version. Here is an interview with the artist, Brendan Powell Smith:
http://nexuszine.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/interview-the-brick-testaments-reverend-brendan-powell-smith/
An atheist, he describes Yahweh as "power-mad, belligerent, masochistic, petty, woefully insecure, extremely dangerous and unpredictable". Not the information that I would want to communicate to my child.
I'm not into bashing people, but I would want others to know that the Brick Bible is not necessarily for kids.
I'd agree not for kids, but it can provide great visuals in very small amounts (and when previewed, because many stories are not appropriate).
DeleteThanks, Ticia, for the balanced feedback!
Delete