Learning with LaQ is not just about the building process, as the nature of the toy encourages open-ended play, the development of engineering skills, and imaginative play with the models after they have built. It's about both left-brain and right-brain development, and more than just specific focus on narrow STEM skills.
The pictures below show 3 stages of building with LaQ, and showcase the open ended nature of what you can do with LaQ, with just the 7 simple part types as per below.
The 2D models are made with parts #1, #2, #3 and #4 only. Starting with 2D models, kids learn how to follow simple instruction guides - here you can see a simple 2D elephant. Equally they learn how to play together, exchange parts with each other, and encourage each together to build more difficult models. Children get excited about exploring LaQ on their own but also often more excited about trying to make some of the creations that their peers create.
Children rapidly move onto building simpler 3D models, which now includes the remaining parts #5 (curved), #6 (right angle) and #7 (3-way). This phase encourages kids to develop their spatial ability, and having to mentally manoeuvre segments to fit them together. Above, you can see a simple 3D elephant model. As the models become more complex, this develops their confidence and sense of achievement when they can interpret the instructions and showcase their building skills upon completion.
The more advanced models continue using all 7 parts, but often require building groups of parts together, and connection of groups together. Some models start to use the special Hamacron wheel and shaft parts, which come in standard and mini sizes. In the picture above, the mini wheels are used as eyes!
They show different techniques of how you can use the simple parts to express different shapes, and how they can even move around. When starting off, they may appear complex but it is surprising how quickly kids pick up the techniques and build upon them to make their own creations. The Triceratops model above showcases some of the techniques to use connectors and choice of parts to build curves and replicate textures of real-life objects. Many of the models have movement cleverly built into the design, such as the Power Shovel, Robots and Dinosaurs.
Read about how LaQ enables foundations for later STEM/STEAM development
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