March 2015 Welcome to Teacher Reymund’s

Dear Parents, Welcome to the second term of the SY I am happy to see all my students and to hear about their enthusiasm to create and build images based on their imagination. We also make sure that these kids are precise when building their objects. Some have very good calculation skills. We reviewed the numbers of dots on a piece of a lego and discussed the rules in the class. We tried building our own version of a rocket, satellite and a space shuttle. Enjoy the photos! Thanks, Reymund

Creativity and imagination Experimenting with Lego helps develop creativity and imagination, as Lego is an open-ended activity that allows for free play. Creative play stimulates a child’s imagination which builds an active mind. Lego has scope for creative play, allowing children to come up with new and interesting ideas each and every time. The possibilities are endless. This widens imagination and develops concentration as the process of building a model takes focus and skill. Fine motor skills Building towers teaches children how to stack and reach up as they build higher and higher. Manipulating the bricks and building develops and improves fine motor skills, dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Interlocking the bricks helps to strengthen hand muscles, which is essential to prepare children for writing. It takes intricate movements to interlock the bricks and practice to master this skill.fine motor skills Benefits of using Lego in learning:

Concentration Children can create whatever their imagination allows, and they can take it apart and start again. The possibilities are endless, which makes this a timeless toy that children go back to time and time again. Children learn to focus and concentrate whilst playing with Lego. Great concentration is required to interlock the bricks and construct a model. Thinking, problem solving, concentration and focus are all enhanced whilst building with Lego. Social skills Lego can be played with independently, or it can be played with others, which teaches children to share and cooperate. This promotes social skills and teaches children how to work together as part of a team. Lego is appealing to many, which means many can share this fun and educational activity. Social skills are developed, as children learn to work alongside each other or as part of a group. Colors and basic math Lego bricks can also be used for teaching basic math, as well as problem-solving. Lego bricks can be used for counting activities, and for creating patterns. Lego teaches children about colors, and color recognition. Children can have fun sorting the bricks into their color groups, and identifying the colors of each group. They can also be sorted into groups of different sizes. Confidence Patience is also learned as a child learns to lock the bricks together, which can be difficult at first and this teaches determination. Once the bricks are interlocked for the first time, it will give a child a great confidence and self-esteem boost. Creating new and different models with Lego gives children satisfaction and confidence is built on completion of a model.