Construction company helps local school with future building skills

The concept of LEGO therapy was first developed in 2004, by clinical psychologist Daniel Le Goff. His aim was to help develop social skills for children on the autism spectrum.

Ōmokoroa Point School has been running the LEGO Club for more than two years now. We saw the benefit within Le Goff's programme to support not only children along the autism spectrum but many of our tamariki by fostering social skills, taking on roles of responsibility and communicating their needs effectively.

Offering LEGO Club to various year levels has always been a little bit tricky. Our junior children love LEGO and all want to be part of the LEGO Club. But, at some point, our senior children almost become too cool for LEGO. We could see there was a need to deliver this concept to our seniors, but we had to make it more ‘attractive’.

We then had the opportunity to sit down with one of our stationery suppliers, who showed us the new LEGO education kits. We sat there excitedly thinking “LEGO plus robotics plus coding equals wow! Now, how do we get these for our school?" Not only did the kits incorporate the fundamentals of LEGO therapy, but they took it to another level. The kits “WEDO 2.0” and “SPIKE Prime” allow the children to think critically in order to develop endless, robotic creations. But, they came at a big cost.

Then the 'LEGO bricks all came into alignment' and we were approached by the amazing team at Foster Develop. The company was looking at different ways they could support the local community and school. When they heard about the LEGO Club and our need to expand our ‘construction skills’ they were only too happy to help.

We had the pleasure of meeting Andrew and Rhys from Foster, who came bearing two of the LEGO kits. After spending some time with me, working as a LEGO facilitator at the school, they learned of the many similarities between the concept of LEGO therapy and their own construction company. I couldn’t believe we had

been gifted these two amazing kits. I am a huge advocate for LEGO therapy and the many ways it can support our children. This just takes the process a little further and adds more cognitive thought for our seniors.

The team at OPS would like to thank Foster Develop and we hope we can have Andrew and Rhys back to see the children using these awesome kits.

Andrew (left) and Rhys (right) from Foster Develop delivering two giant LEGO education kits to Kim Breen at Ōmokoroa Point School. PHOTO: Rachel Millard.