How LEGO & spatial skills can supercharge your child’s maths
At Explore Learning, we know that unlocking your child’s potential in maths isn’t just about numbers; it’s also about how they think in space.
Recent research from the University of Surrey shows that developing children’s spatial abilities can significantly boost their maths performance. In particular, activities that involve interpreting and building from pictorial models, like LEGO, can be surprisingly powerful.
What are spatial skills, and why do they matter?
Spatial ability is the capacity to visualise and manipulate shapes, patterns, and objects in space. It underpins essential concepts in mathematics like geometry, measurement, symmetry, and even problem-solving.
The University of Surrey’s new study found that structured spatial training using pictorial building instructions (like LEGO model sheets) led to noticeable improvements in children’s maths abilities.
“Spatial skills are not just ‘nice-to-have’, they are central to mathematical learning and success,” says Dr. Katie Gilligan-Lee, lead researcher at the University of Surrey.
Try this at home - LEGO challenges to sharpen maths thinking
You don’t need special sets or instructions to get started; just use any LEGO bricks you have at home. Encouraging your child to build 3D structures from imagination or pictures is a simple and effective way to strengthen their spatial skills.
Challenge your child to:
Build a staircase, tower, or bridge using a limited number of bricks
Recreate an object from memory after looking at it for 10 seconds
Copy a model you or a sibling has built, using only a front-facing view
These types of activities help children:
Interpret and recreate shapes from different angles
Visualise and rotate structures mentally
Develop focus, creativity, and perseverance
There’s no right or wrong way to build. It’s about encouraging spatial thinking and having fun along the way.
Explore Learning, supporting spatial thinking and maths mastery
At Explore Learning, we embed spatial reasoning into our approach to maths. Whether your child is learning about shapes, tackling tricky word problems, or solving puzzles, they’re constantly being challenged to think flexibly and spatially.
We believe that maths learning is richer and deeper when children engage with visual and hands-on experiences, and that’s exactly what spatial training offers.
Nurture spatial imagination
You can help your child thrive in maths not just by practising times tables, but by nurturing their spatial imagination. Activities like LEGO building, drawing maps, playing puzzles, or even folding origami can make a big difference.
So, as you enjoy some downtime together, why not build your way to better maths?
Have questions about how we support maths in our centres? Find an Explore Learning centre near you to speak to our team, we’d love to show you how we do it.
