Building Skills and Dreams, Brick by Brick
How Playing with LEGO is Inspiring Children in Jordan
When 7-year-old Rahaf attended her first LEGO session, she built skyscrapers and small houses from colourful bricks. She imagined real children coming out of them and heading off to school.
When 7-year-old Rahaf attended her first LEGO session, she built skyscrapers and small houses from colourful bricks. She imagined real children coming out of them and heading off to school.
“Children are not only having fun and creating memories,” explains Wafaa, the Makani facilitator supervising the LEGO sessions at the centre. “They are also learning and developing social and cognitive skills.”
"I guide them, teach them to cooperate, share, and communicate. Some children are shy, some outgoing, but through LEGO, they all learn to play together. They no longer see each other as rivals but they see peers and friends.”
For the 24-year-old facilitator, who came to Jordan as a Syrian refugee, helping children play feels personal. Wafaa elaborates, “when I first arrived here 13 years ago, we were worried about where we were and what we would do next.” She continues “I lost my right to play as any child, and I left all my friends behind in Syria and struggled to make new ones.” Now, as a volunteer at the centre, she’s giving children childhood experiences she missed.
“The Makani facilitators receive specialized training to maximize children’s learning and fun,” Maysa, the centre Manager, explains. “Each session is planned to encourage creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and social skills - skills which they will carry for life.”
Group activities with LEGO also contribute to developing communication skills, patience, and cooperation among children. Shy or withdrawn children learn to interact, while more active children learn to share and cooperate. “The game teaches them to come together at one table, play, and communicate,” the manager adds.
For vulnerable children, the LEGO sessions offer access to a tool that combines fun with learning and emotional support, boosting their self-esteem and confidence. “Here, every child can benefit under supervision with results for their creativity, hand-eye coordination, social skills, and emotional wellbeing,” Maysaa says.
“The Makani centre with its different age-appropriate programmes is having a profound, positive impact. It allows children and families in need to access learning support, skills building, positive parenting, protection, and play, positively shaping the future of these communities. Within these safe spaces, LEGO is an effective way to deliver learning while giving children the joy of play.”
UNICEF thanks The LEGO Foundation for the provision of 492 LEGO sets for children in Jordan.
