I’m a huge fan of Lego as is my son. In fact, when he was a kidlet he knew just how to play his dear old Mother by just-so-happening to let me know when a new set was out and available. You know, like he was doing me a favor….
Fast forward a few decades, and there are literally thousands of Lego pieces in his PLAY attic. Some are still assembled in awesomeness. I look fondly at the pirate ship or the soccer pitch. Others have come apart and it’s anyone’s guess whether or not they can ever be put back together.
Had I started THEN what I do NOW there’d be no problem!
Let me get this out straightaway: Lego wants you to buy as many different sets as possible. It’s kind of like a different Barbie for every outfit or (supposed) career. Back in my day of Barbie, there was one doll. Kiddos then had the option of begging their parents to buy different outfits for their fantasy Barbie PLAY. Soon Mattel realized they were losing a whole heck of a lot potential money! Better to have parents have to buy another doll for each and every scenario and career! So Mattel changed the gig and Lego has followed suit.
Do YOU want some measure of control in your Life over Lego pieces? How about not worrying about stepping on them? Like maybe in the middle of the night as you make your way to the bathroom….
….do what I do now!
Lego/DUPLO Sanity:
●Empty pieces into a plastic container with a secure lid
Feel free to write on the container the total number of pieces or, get more specific, giving the number of colors and/or shapes.
●Copy the instructions; making sure the type and number of pieces is noted
●Laminate, or cover with clear plastic contact paper, the instructions
●Put one copy of instructions in the container and the other copy in a master notebook
When the inevitable happens and pieces get lost or mixed up that’s okay! It’s even preferable if you want to know my honest opinion! This is the perfect setting that let’s your kiddo choose from all kinds of pieces. As they PLAY, you can encourage them to tap into their creativity, building unique, one-of-a-kind creations, coming up with some of their own awesome ‘sets’!
IF they really do want to put one of the store-bought ideas back together again, you always have the laminated instructions to give them or your master notebook with the instructions they can refer to…it’s a win-win-win solution for everyone!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen
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