Fun With Lego
Ability Links NSW and community groups have joined together to form the Parkes Lego Club for children aged 5-8 years, inclusive of all abilities. A Lego club can help children to improve their verbal and non-verbal communication,
sharing and turn-taking, as well as their collaborative problem-solving skills.
In addition practitioners and parents have discovered that the use of LEGO during play groups for children with autism leads to improved social skills and play skills. Research have confirmed that this is the case. LEGO building blocks offer a highly routine, repetitive, structured form of play that many children with autism find appealing.
Activities using LEGO can be graded from simple step by step instructions to free building that allows for creativity.
Research on LEGO play therapy was recently conducted at the University of Cambridge. The study focused on children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and found that children who participated in LEGO therapy showed improvement in social skills.
The Parkes Lego Club meets every Monday from 4 to 5pm at the Parkes PCYC, 36/38 Pearce Street. Lego is provided and the club is for free and open to all children. Although there is supervision, children are the responsibility of their carers. For further information contact Alana George at Ability Links NSW on 0428 727 265 or alana.george@livebetter.org.au