Need simple builds ideas for 4-5 yo children

[Professor Jones]

I am a teacher and I decided to teach my pupils (ages 4-5) how to build lego by following instructions. I need some ideas on what to make them build. We have a big box of lego parts, most of which are basic bricks and plates. Since there will be around 10 children using the box at the same time, I really need to avoid using "fancy" pieces because we really don't have many of them. Same goes for colors : I must let them pick any color they want, otherwise there will be a shortage of the demanded color very fast. We do have quite a few doors and windows though. I'm sure 99% of the pupils never followed lego instructions so I will keep it simple.

Here are two ideas I whipped up in LDD, do you have any other ideas of fun and simple things to build that mainly use very basic bricks ? Thanks

[Zeon]

I am a teacher and I decided to teach my pupils (ages 4-5) how to build lego by following instructions. I need some ideas on what to make them build. We have a big box of lego parts, most of which are basic bricks and plates. Since there will be around 10 children using the box at the same time, I really need to avoid using "fancy" pieces because we really don't have many of them. Same goes for colors : I must let them pick any color they want, otherwise there will be a shortage of the demanded color very fast. We do have quite a few doors and windows though. I'm sure 99% of the pupils never followed lego instructions so I will keep it simple.

Here are two ideas I whipped up in LDD, do you have any other ideas of fun and simple things to build that mainly use very basic bricks ? Thanks

The Lego ideabook 226-1 builds on basic parts mostly and gives some very nice ideas.

Ideabook 226-1

Good luck with your class :)

[Darth Dino]

Hi

what is your aim, teaching them that following rules or instructions might be helpful or beeing creative? If it is more the last one, start a game like this: one group should build for the other one things you told them. The other group has to name the thing as fast as they could relize it. I guess thats more fun than following a step by step introduction.

If you are focussing more on the instruction thing you could show them simple Lego images of items - maybe a bird - and they hav to build that for the other group. It migt be more "instrctive" than having a picture of a real bird.

Dino

Edited September 7, 2011 by Darth Dino

[Professor Jones]

Hi

what is your aim, teaching them that following rules or instructions might be helpful or beeing creative? If it is more the last one, start a game like this: one group should build for the other one things you told them. The other group has to name the thing as fast as they could relize it. I guess thats more fun than following a step by step introduction.

If you are focussing more on the instruction thing you could show them simple Lego images of items - maybe a bird - and they hav to build that for the other group. It migt be more "instrctive" than having a picture of a real bird.

Dino

My main aim is teaching them how to follow the instructions. You have to follow the steps, recognize the pictured pieces (not easy for a child, they will often times have to count the studs to make sure they get the right one) and place them just like they are in the picture. For this they need to have a good grasp of space and it will be a very hard task for most of them in the beginning. But I want it to be fun too of course, which is why I want them to build things they can actually play with afterwards. They have no idea of the infinite creative possibilities of lego, and before they can create, I believe they have to get a glimpse of what's possible.

[SNIPE]

Hi,

I think that it has to be up to them to be creative, they learn along the way by making mistakes or problems (they don't exactually make themselves) and hopefully fixing them.

As for building sets, they are good but I find them boring when I am working through them and if its a big set I send to do it for a few weeks then get bored of it for like up to a year, sure it's rewarding when its finished.

So yeah, I would give them a couple of handfuls of bricks and see what they can come up with. remember that more is less and vice versa. so don't give them piles of bricks to start off with.

Edited September 7, 2011 by SNIPE

[lightningtiger]

My suggestion would be to download instructions for 1960 sets for buildings etc., though I'm surprised Dacta doesn't have instruction books for teachers to use......a new market ?

Brick On !

[ice dragon]

I would suggest prompting them by giving them suggestions as to what to build. This way they will learn to use their imagination.

[LegoDad42]

This is a nice beginner set that uses basic bricks with some really fun, cute ideas.

http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=5749-1

[Vindice]

Problem is that it all depends on the attention span of the child. My little boy picked up an instruction manual last weekend and built a scout walker from the Clone turbo tank set. He was reading the instructions for over half an hour and needed minimal help. The next day he helped me rebuild Hogwarts castle and built the astronomy tower, once again with minimal help.

He is 5 in November but does have very good concentration. When I was young I couldnt concentrate on the manuals very easily but both of my brothers were quite good at it.

[sharky]

Look up the monthly models from the Lego store. There may be some more ideas you can use. You may have to modify them based on what pieces you have, and some you may not be able to do at all. However, they mostly are small builds with minimal parts.

http://www.brickset.com/browse/themes/?theme=Monthly%20Mini%20Model%20Build

However, I like the link Zeon provided. Looks like it's right up your alley.