Florida State University’s Dina Vyortkina, assistant dean of innovation and instructional technology enhancement at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, is emphasizing the educational benefits of LEGO bricks as International LEGO Day approaches on January 28. The annual event marks the anniversary of LEGO’s patent in 1958 and highlights the role these toy bricks play in fostering creativity and supporting children’s development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Vyortkina will lead a workshop at the Anne’s College Technology Sandbox on National LEGO Day from noon to 2 p.m., focusing on how LEGO bricks can be used as tools for STEM learning, problem-solving, and creative collaboration. The Tech Sandbox offers an environment where students and faculty can engage with various instructional technologies and learn how to integrate them into teaching and research.
According to Vyortkina, “LEGO bricks are a powerful tool for teaching foundational academic concepts, fostering positive attitudes and building interest in STEM. As in any science field, a lot of exploration and inquiry is involved with ‘what if’ scenarios and sequencing steps.”
She explained that playing with LEGO bricks allows children to naturally experience engineering processes such as planning, building, testing, debugging, revising designs, communicating ideas, comparing structures, counting objects, sorting items by category—skills often associated with mathematics—and developing spatial reasoning through activities related to geometry and physics. Robotics kits like LEGO Education and LEGO Spike are also used at the college’s sandbox space to introduce children to coding concepts through programming sensors and motors.
Vyortkina noted that new digital features are being added: “We are excited to see and play with a Lego Smart Brick (launching in March 2026) which is promised to sense and react to motion, position and distance.”
Beyond STEM skills, she identified additional developmental benefits: “Some of the developed skills include imagination, creativity, curiosity, problem solving… staying focused… teamwork… confidence building… patience… keeping all pieces in order (imagine this!)” She emphasized that many LEGO kits remain open-ended without requiring screens or computers.
For children with developmental disorders or special needs—a focus area for programs at Anne’s College—Vyortkina pointed out that structured activities using tactile materials like LEGO can help build fine motor skills while also supporting social interaction: “In the LEGO case we see the benefits in being able to engage students in structured and predictable activities… allowing self-paced rhythm… not relying heavily on verbal communication if working with others.” She added that assembling bricks may serve as both therapeutic exercise for muscle coordination or simply provide an enjoyable activity even for those with limited mobility.
Media interested in further discussion about LEGOs’ impact on early childhood education are encouraged to contact Assistant Dean Dina Vyortkina.
