Ever wonder why playing with Lego is not just fun but also beneficial to us? You may be curious about how this humble toy transforms from a commercial product into a form of free art material, impacting even the company that produced it. This curious and wonderful phenomenon is what “Roy” refers to as Resistant Storytelling. It highlights the transformative power of play and its crucial role in human development. This article will explain how Lego has revolutionized our understanding of learning through play.
The Essential Role of Play
Play, according to psychologists, is an activity that provides a break from the pressures of reality. Seen from an evolutionary perspective, play is considered essential for humans because it places individuals in diverse situations from which they can learn how to behave. Thus, play is fundamentally an educational tool, used by both the young and the old.
“Why isn’t all curriculum play then?” you might ask. This is because traditional educational systems often overlook the immense potential that play holds. In contrast to formal learning, play allows a child to learn without the presence of an authority figure. In this non-competitive and non-judgmental space, a child can learn without pressure and fear of being wrong. This conducive environment makes play an essential part of human development.
The “Lego” Revolution
But what sets Lego apart? Why has it made such a significant impact compared to other games such as drawing or clay modeling? According to “David Gauntlet”, this is due to the simplicity and accessibility of Lego. Its interlocking blocks make forming shapes easy, no matter how simple or complex, and does not necessitate a particular talent or skill. This makes Lego a perfect escape from the pressures of life.
In a study titled “The IKEA Effect: When Labor Leads to Love”, it was found that a person values an object more when they’ve invested effort in creating it. This effect applies perfectly to Lego; the process of building with Lego leads to a deeper emotional connection to the finished product.
The Incredible Impact of Lego
So where is Lego now? Contrary to what you might think, Lego didn’t go bankrupt. In fact, during the global pandemic in 2021, Lego’s sales exceeded $8 billion, a testament to the timeless appeal of this iconic toy.
The success of Lego during these difficult times illustrates an important point: in times of crisis, the world turns to play. Just as children sought comfort in play during World War II, adults and children alike turned to Lego during the pandemic to escape their worries.
Lego: The Best Metaphor for Life
Lego isn’t just a toy; it’s a metaphor for life itself. Every moment of our lives presents opportunities and challenges, just like a box of Lego bricks. We have a set number of hours in each day, and it’s up to us how we arrange them. Similarly, with Lego, we’re given a finite number of blocks, and it’s up to us to create something meaningful with them.
In conclusion, the genius of Lego lies in its ability to help us understand and navigate our world. Its transformative power extends beyond just being a toy to becoming a tool that prepares us to face life’s challenges head-on. It proves that even in the midst of life’s messiness, with creativity and determination, we can build something beautiful, one brick at a time.
