Lego Bricks Unlock Youth Identity & Belonging

Researchers are utilizing Lego bricks as an innovative method to engage young people in discussions about identity, belonging, and societal participation. This approach encourages critical thinking regarding individual roles in the world and relationships with others, drawing on the concept of "worldview" – the beliefs and values that shape perception.

In a recent study across ten groups in secondary schools, students constructed Lego models to answer questions about themselves, their sense of belonging, and their participation in social and civic life. The tactile nature of building proved effective in facilitating thoughtful, imaginative, and emotional responses, especially for sensitive topics, by providing a metaphorical distance.

The research revealed that students explored multifaceted aspects of identity, including heritage, faith, and communities, and complex connections to places and people. The process culminated in collaborative model building on citizenship, emphasizing interconnectedness and the necessity of working together for societal function, ultimately building empathy and a shared vision.