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Benefits of LEGO Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
LEGO makes building blocks kits for kids as young as 9 months of age.
The LEGO DUPLO blocks are larger so that they don’t pose a choking hazard and they’re easier for small hands to handle.
However, most kids don’t develop any real interest in building with DUPLO or LEGO blocks until they’re toddlers.
Here are some of the benefits that toddlers and preschoolers gain from playing with LEGO:
Color Recognition
LEGO bricks come in a variety of different colors which help young children with their color recognition skills. This is especially true when parents encourage the child to name the colors of different blocks.
Sorting
LEGO blocks are a great way to help kids develop their sorting skills.
The blocks can be sorted by color, size, or shape.
Counting
Toddlers and preschoolers can improve their counting skills by counting the number of blocks to build a certain object, or of a certain color.
In addition, some sets of DUPLO and LEGO blocks have numbers printed on them so they can also practice their number recognition skills.
Big/Little
Children also begin to identify and understand the concept of big and little by using these blocks.
Fine Motor Skills and Hand-Eye Coordination
As kids place blocks in a specific way to build something, they’re developing their fine motor skills and improving their hand-eye coordination.
Playing with LEGO blocks will help young children develop such socialization skills as sharing and cooperative play.
You can read an excellent article about cooperative play on momjunction.com.
Both of those skills become very important to toddlers and preschoolers once they enter their formal school years.
Development of Language Skills
Explaining what they’re making or talking to others about what they plan to make is a great way for young kids to develop their language skills.