January 2018 - Generation Positive

Month: January 2018

How Play develops the one skill children need for jobs of the future

Posted by Julie Lang | Jan 11, 2018 | Education, Emotions, Positive Mind |

Every child begins their journey through life with an incredible potential: a creative mindset that approaches the world with curiosity, with questions, and with a desire to learn about the world and themselves through Play. However, this mindset is often eroded or even erased by conventional educational practices when young children enter school. The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking is often cited as an example of how children’s divergent thinking diminishes over time. 98% of children in kindergarten are “creative geniuses” – they can think of endless opportunities of how to use a paper clip. This ability is reduced...

Lego and Child Development

Posted by Julie Lang | Jan 10, 2018 | Education, Emotions, Positive Mind |

Not long after their 85 year anniversary I’m having a look into how Lego can impact on early learners, the question being; does the creative block assembling game really help with child development? In 1932 did Ole Kirk Kristiansen, a carpenter from Denmark, know of the influence on the future his first wooden Lego toy would have? From my research I have found that multiple new skills are developed by children whilst building with the miniature blocks. One clear example being creativity, the ability to use your imagination by constructing a vehicle, a building and now-a-days even a working robot. By getting this part of the brain working at such a young age it helps with countless things in the future, like something as simple as being able to dress themselves independently. Another key skill LEGO helps ignite in youngsters is Distraction. When something helps take our minds off one thing and on to another. Whether it be a distraction from school or potential problems at home, Lego offers a child a place to escape – to their imagination. This closely links to the idea of creativity outlined above. The child can get away from all external influences and ‘lose themselves’ in the world of Lego, as a vet treating dogs, or a firefighter tackling fires. Whatever their quick learning minds can think of, Lego offers them a distraction from everything else through play! With social...