The Learning Power of Lego

On January 28, 1958, a patent was filed that would change family floors forever. On that fateful day, the Lego brick was born. Since then, over 400 billion Lego elements have been made (an unbelievable 62 bricks for every person on the planet!), and approximately 7 Lego sets are sold each second.

Bricks today still have the same bumps and holes, and can interlock with the bricks made 50 years ago. And they’re still just as popular among kids and adults alike. This year, Lego turns 50, begging the question: what's the big deal with these things?

Colorful and easy to use, Lego bricks have withstood the test of time because of their unlimited open-ended possibilities. There is not just one way to play with a set of Legos.

The classic Lego brick was designed by a Danish carpenter named Ole Kirk Christiansen in the 1940s. Christiansen began to make wooden toys after losing his job, and was soon designing an interlocking brick that would mimic the stacking ability of regular blocks, but allow for more creative building possibilities. He named his product “Lego” after the Danish phrase leg godt, or “play well.”

True to its name, Lego pieces allow for an astonishing range of creative play opportunities. Beyond the fun factor, for younger children, the brightly colored pieces and easily interlocking combinations provide hours of patterning practice and fine-motor development. Looking for just the right piece strengthens sorting skills, a key part of the kindergarten math curriculum. And for all kids, Lego teaches how to think in three dimensions-- a precursor to physics. Children of all ages also hone creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork through Lego play.

Newer Lego product lines, which contain complex kits for building robots, helicopters, pirate ships and other elaborate constructions, have been criticized for swapping creative freedom for step-by-step construction guidelines and limited scenarios. But parents who bemoan Lego's cross branding (with popular series like Batman, Harry Potter, and Indiana Jones) can stick to the classic colored bricks, which are still on sale.

Some kids stack their love of Lego to the next level. Junior First Lego League, for kids ages 6-9, and First Lego League (ages 9-14) are international competitions where teams of kids are challenged to build Lego robots and other inventions. Judged not only on their invention, the kids involved get assessed on their teamwork and presentation as well.

“FLL has been a great experience for my kids,” says Trish Smith of Lexington, Kentucky. “Not only have they learned excellent problem-solving and technical skills, it has helped them develop an important inner confidence and hone team-building abilities. The FLL value of ‘gracious professionalism’ allows them to strive for their best and enjoy their achievements without losing the larger picture of fair play and fun.”