LEGO Therapy Helps Dyslexic Children

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Lego Man

Dyslexia is a condition where an individual is suffering from comprehension problems. Ability to read fluently, phonological decoding and awareness are often affected with this condition. Most often, children are discovered to have this condition because they show slow learning aptitudes in school. According to studies, 5-10% of the entire populations are affected by this condition.

There are different explanations that will point to the origin of dyslexia. There are studies pointing to the interactive role of the anatomic structures including the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex of the brain. Also, genetics according to researches can be partly to blame. Hereditary vascular micro-malformations are seen in a dyslexic patient’s brain. This impedes the optimal function of the language centers of the brain.

Signs and Symptoms

Among the early signs and symptoms that any parent should look into is delayed speech. Being easily distracted by background noises, and reversed mirror writing are some of the most common patterns that would suggest dyslexia. As the child grows older, it is apparent to observe the difficulties in segmenting words by individual sounds or blending the sounds in order to form words. Most often, patients with dyslexia find it difficult to spell. It is a common misconception that all dyslexics read and write words in a backward manner with ease. In fact, this can be true, but it only happens to a small percentage of dyslexic patients. A Full Dyslexia Assessment, can under cover non typical dyslexia that by looking at the individuals whole cognitive profile.

Interventions

Dyslexia can be a difficult thing to deal with especially when a child is entering school. This can prompt a delayed aptitude in school activities despite having an average or even an above average IQ. Though there is no cure for dyslexia, fortunately, there is a way to help the patient improve the condition. Over the years, several researches were made in order for them to write and be able to communicate without any problem in school. From oral phonological trainings to visual language training, these are only some of the most common solutions brought to the table by educational psychologist during an assessment of special educational needs

Lego And Dyslexia Therapy

According to a 2012 study, LEGO was discovered to improve cases of dyslexia among children. According to the multiple intelligence theory, there are different types of learners. You may learn through music, or even by doing things. Since using LEGO involves both visual and fine motor skills, learning becomes easier for any dyslexic patient. In a study conducted that involved children between ages 6-10, LEGO was viewed as a great tool to help lessen the difficulties of learning. The conclusion of the study marked a significant improvement in children absorb and apply information. Though LEGO is still not a treatment to eliminate dyslexia, it can significantly boost learning capabilities especially during a child’s developmental years.

The best way to beat dyslexia is to detect it early on. Since a large number of children grow with undetected/undiagnosed dyslexia, it is important for parents to be aware of how their child performs in school. Delayed capability in learning can be linked to dyslexia. Once it has been diagnosed, proper intervention should be taken. And since LEGO has a way to improve and lessen dyslexic conditions, it is a good idea to invest in these toys. With positive reinforcements, along with the new therapies, it is possible for dyslexic children to grow up in a conventional learning set up.

Dyslexia Assessment Centre in Bimingham UK

James May’s Lego Adventure

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Lego Man

In August 2009 television presenter James May began an ambitious project to build a full-sized house out of standard Lego bricks for an episode of his six-part BBC2 series Toy Stories. It was a considerable venture that required clever design, good planning and a thousand or so pairs of willing hands.

The house was to be built at the Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey; it received huge public support. In foul weather on Saturday 1 August 2009 people began queuing as early as 4.30.am to offer their services. Response to the publicity surrounding the build was overwhelming and resulted in 1,200 volunteers being given tickets to help and another 1,500 being turned away.

The first phase of construction was the production of over 2,000 standardised hollow blocks built from 272 standard 8-stud Lego bricks, each being 12 bricks long, six wide and eight high. These were to form the walls of the building, which was conceived by architect Barnaby Gunning as a combination of thousands of smaller ‘houses’, some acting as roof pyramids, some just as hollow blocks and others with windows. The nature of the materials and experimental design, and the presence of some very doubting insurance officials, meant that the design had to be changed as production progressed. The design was unique as there could be no long cantilevers and no wide openings – Lego is, after all, intended to be pulled apart easily by a five-year-old and no glue was allowed.

The interior of the house was the brainchild of interior designer Christina Fallah. It was her vision that the surfaces should be smooth and sleek with vibrant colours. Even the furniture was made to contrast with the walls. Fully equipped with working Lego shower and flushable Lego toilet, both installed at James May’ insistence, the interior was a masterpiece of innovative design, right down to the minutest detail including striped Lego toothpaste.

To complete the homely feel, the house even had its own Lego cat (named Fusker after May’s own cat) that was donated by a fan. May Christened the house by spending a night in it and claimed that, although the bed was hard, he had the best night’s sleep had had for some time.

Sadly for May though, and all those who had put so much effort into building the house, the house was doomed to destruction. It could not remain where it was because Denbies need the land returned for grape vines and it did not have planning permission, and hopes that it could be sold to the Legoland theme park were dashed because the £50,000 price tag for the removal was deemed too expensive. So, on 22 September, just five days after it was completed, work began to take James May’s two-storey Lego house apart, with the 3.3 million Lego bricks used in the construction being donated to charity.

May described the dismantling as “wrong on every level” but, as others involved in the project suggested, the whole point of Lego is that it can be taken apart and re-used; the project was, therefore, in line with the ethos of Lego.

Just as a final note; has anyone seen Fusker? The Lego cat disappeared after members of the public were allowed through the house a couple of days before it was taken down – maybe it sensed what was coming.

KAZI 6502 Power Racer – Thunder Speed

I picked up a couple of “KAZI” brand racing car box sets from the JJ Mall for less than $5 each. Both sets boast 147 pieces and from the pictures on the box they look pretty freaking awesome.

After opening the box I found that all the pieces seem to be there, except for a 6 head flat piece which seemed to be melted or something, but it was still usable in the model. The piece colors were all correct and matched the instructions.

All the pieces fit together very tightly, maybe even too tightly as kids might have trouble pushing some bits together, but there is no chance of the model falling apart.

After putting together the finished racing car I have to say this is probably the best Lego deal I’ve ever seen; a real Lego equivalent model could easily set you back 10 times the amount I paid ($50 instead of $5). Take a look at the photos below:

How it rated:

Brick Fit
Correct Pieces
Creativity
Durability
Value for Money

Lego Duplo Fire Chief and Truck (6169)

I really like the design of the truck, it has a cool look and the axles move up and down to give the effect of suspension. The flame block is also an interesting piece, although the fire chief only has an axe to deal with it…uh oh?

However I do have a few complains about this Duplo Box Set.

I was surprised that for a real Lego product the blocks don’t fit as well as I would expect, the truck body and the truck chassis are a bit loose, so the truck falls apart quite easily. I’m not sure if this was by design, so that you can play crash dummies with it? But I’m guessing not.

The fire chief doesn’t sit well in the truck, the fit is loose and he falls out a lot.

For $15-$20 you’d think that they’d include more than just one lonesome Duplo brick…

How it rated:

Value for Money
Creativity
Durability
Correct Pieces
Brick Fit

COGO Duplo Compatible Fire Helicopter Box Set (6205)

I picked up this Duplo style COGO box set at a department store in Thailand for about $5 USD, which I think was a very good price compared to a comparable size Lego Duplo set which runs about $20 USD.

COGO is very popular because it is not “Fake Lego” but rather “Lego Compatible”, meaning their bricks are the same size as Lego’s bricks, but COGO come up with their own designs and box sets (I think this makes it legal?). This generally results in COGO products looking less fun and creative than the Lego equivalents. Think Lego 20 years ago, and that is what COGO looks like now.

I was surprised with this set as the design looks like more modern and creative than the normal dated looking products that COGO produces. The helicopter and bricks were all well made and fit together well with standard Duplo blocks.

The pilot man figure really let this set down, he feels lightweight and breakable, especially when compared to a real Lego Duplo zookeeper figure that I have. The holes in the pilots butt are too big, so he doesn’t sit well in the helicopter and keeps falling out.

Overall I think this is still a good buy due to the very low price.

How it rated:

Value for Money
Creativity
Durability
Correct Pieces
Brick Fit