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The Perfect Gift for your Distracted Learner

This month I’m going to give you two tips for the price one.

Pretty cool, for sure.

With the Christmas season upon us, and the school year well underway, you’re likely wondering about two things. One: What do I get my kids for Christmas? And two: How can I help them be more interested in our read aloud time? Thankfully, I’m here to give you a single answer to both those questions. I hope you find this suggestion helpful:

Tip 1: Buy Legos for Christmas

I know Legos are expensive, but they are also one of the best toys available. They are great for almost all ages and last a long, long time. However, keep in mind that while the model like sets (such as Star Wars) are really cool looking, they are more model than toy. So, get sets that allow for a lot of creativity, and not just a diorama. (That extra tip is free.)

Brittany and I have made it a family tradition to ask for a Lego set every Christmas. And so far, we’ve done well. Not only is it a blast to assemble the new set, there is something nostalgic and timeless about the sound a wrapped Lego box makes when you gently shake it.

But Legos are so much more than a great gift idea. They are also an incredible learning tool. And I don’t just mean in the geometric, spacial, construction, design, imaginative way either (though those also apply). No, Legos are great for literature.

That’s right: Literature.

Tip 2: Let your kids build with their Legos while you read

Every so often I come across comments from mothers who find that their children don’t focus well during the read aloud portion of school. For them, Sonlight–the quintessential literature-rich homeschooling option–isn’t a good fit because their children need something tactile and more active than snuggling and listening to a great book.

And really, what child hasn’t become disinterested in reading from time to time? I mean, if a model student such as myself <cough cough> can find himself in la-la land, perhaps the same is true of others.

To help with this problem my sister sometimes doodled, but I have never been the artistic type in that regard (and I think my occasional blog graphics attest to that fact nicely <smile>). So, drawing didn’t work for me.

But Legos were fantastic. The directions, if I chose to follow any, were made up of pictures with no words. I could build to my heart’s content and never lose track of what was happening in the books.

In fact, there were days that I retained more information because I was building with Legos than if I hadn’t been. If your children are completely disengaged, their minds will wander to other ideas and leave you reading to yourself. However, if your children are occupied in one area, they are free to listen in as you read.

Time and time again I have heard from other parents who find that their children who seem to be lost in another activity actually grasp more of the material than those who merely sit and listen.

So, if you’re wondering what do about gifts and how to help your children stick with the literature you are reading, I suggest Legos.

Perhaps Lego should come up with a new slogan instead of “Play on …”. Something to the effect of: Lego: Love to Learn and Listen.

Eh, nevermind.

Instead, just focus on the love to learn with your great book selection, and if your children need something to do, give them some Legos.

It worked well for me… and look how I turned out.

Okay, maybe not. Instead, consider the fact that the human mind can think faster than people can talk–which is a good thing because if we couldn’t it would be a long time between sentences in a conversation–but this can encourage the mind to wander. So, nip this in a bud and give your tactile/energetic/less-than-willing-listener something to do with his or her hands.

The only potential drawback to Legos, which we experienced in our house, is that large amounts of Legos in large plastic tubs can be rather noisy. It is best to let your children spread the Legos out on the carpet or rug at the beginning. That also makes it easier to find the piece you’re looking for.

It can be a hassle to pick up the Legos when reading time is over, but with practice it can become a relatively quick and painless effort. Just make sure your vacuum doesn’t eat any of these precious pieces of plastic.

Just to be clear: I am not a Lego spokesperson. I’ve just been a happy user for over 20 years.

Me and Duplos

Of course, the same can be said of ice cream as well. But that would be a different post.

Me and Ice Cream

A thick, red, two by two anyone?

Luke Holzmann is the son of John and Sarita Holzmann, founders of Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd., in Littleton, CO, where he is the Media Relations Specialist. He attended Biola University, in La Mirada, CA, and earned the BA in Motion Picture Production. You can find his work at http://www.sonlightblog.com/, production-now.com, and lukeholzmann.blogspot.com.