Speech & Language Therapy with Lego Duplo Build Me Emotions

Months ago (actually too long ago -- but life has been busy for me), I shared how I've been using Lego Duplo Animal Bingo in therapy.  If you missed that post, you can read it here.  I also received other Lego Duplo sets in my Donors Choose project that have been amazing to use in speech & language therapy with all of my elementary school students.

Today, let me share how I've been using Lego Duplo Build Me Emotions.

First, an overview of the product:  Lego Duplo Build Me Emotions comes with 188 Duplo size blocks to allow children to build people and explore emotions.  There are 8 face blocks, depicting 8 different emotions. (The face blocks are double sided, so you technically have 2 of every face/emotion.)  The set also comes with 8 double sided cards depicting 16 characters to be built.

Initially, I thought this would be a great way to talk about emotions and feelings with my younger students as well as my students who have pragmatic goals.  I also thought that my older students wouldn't want anything to do with these blocks as they aren't the "normal size" Lego blocks.  I was wrong.  SAY WHAT?!?!  Yes, I was wrong.  My students just want to build with Lego, regardless of the size.

How I have used this Lego Duplo set in therapy:

1) To target similarities and differences:  I build a simple figure (using 4-6 pieces, with one piece being a face).  I give the students enough blocks to build the same figure (but color of blocks and faces may be different).  We line up all of the figures, then pick 2 and discuss how they are similar and different.  Or I will give all the students the same block pieces (again color of blocks and faces may differ) and allow them to create their own figures.  We line them up to discuss how they are similar and different.  As you can see from the 3 photos, the same pieces were used each time.  The top photo shows how my students copied my figure.  The bottom two photos show how they created their own.  All from the same pile of blocks.

2) To target following directions:  I build a simple figure (with or without a face).  I give my students the blocks they need to build the same figure (along with 1 or 2 extra blocks).  I hide my figure (behind a binder) and then describe what I want them to build.  Basically, this is a Lego version of a barrier game.   

3) To target expressive language (describing, using sentences) and/or articulation skills:  This activity is very similar to what I described in bullet #2; however during this activity, the students describe the simple figure to be built.  This is a great way to have students work on speaking clearly (articulation carryover) or using sentences or descriptive terms.

 
4) To target emotions: I give each student a different face and a limited amount of blocks.  They build a figure.  We discuss how the character is feeling and why they might be feeling that way.

The first 3 activities need to be planned prior to therapy.  I dump out all of the blocks and sort by block shape.  For activity #1: I make 4 similar figures - not worrying if block colors or faces are the same as I only need block shape to be the same for this activity.  I store each set of 4 in a Ziploc bag.

For activities #2 & #3: I attempt to make 4 identical creations.  Remember, you don't want to use tons of blocks as activities #2 and #3 will be difficult for your language impaired students.  Once I have a group of 4 identical creations, I keep one built and dump the 1 built creation plus all the blocks needed for the other 3 creations into a Ziploc bag. 

Sometimes it is a time saver to dump each creation (unbuilt) into a small sandwich bag and then the 4 sandwich bags into one big Ziploc bag.   Remember, if your creations for #2 and #3 have faces, then you can use those same creations for activity #1.

The Lego Duplo Build Me Emotions set has been a HUGE hit in therapy!  Even my 5th graders have enjoyed the activities I have shared with you today.