Lego has introduced new cutting-edge “smart bricks” designed to enhance its traditional toys with lights, sound, and interactive capabilities. However, an expert in early childhood development suggests that this innovation may diminish the open-ended imaginative play that has long been a hallmark of Lego toys.
The renowned Danish toy manufacturer unveiled its latest Smart Play system at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, showcasing bricks and minifigures equipped with electronic features like miniature speakers and sensors. These elements enable the toys to react to movement and sound, offering an engaging play experience. For instance, a newly released Star Wars-themed set includes components that produce lightsaber sounds and engine noises, while a Lego helicopter can emit whooshing sounds when manipulated.
According to the toymaker’s press release, the new products aim to ignite children’s creativity and provide an interactive play experience rich in exploration and imaginative storytelling. Early Lego sets, characterized by loose bricks allowing endless construction possibilities, have been praised for fostering imaginative play by offering children the freedom to build as they please.
However, contemporary Lego kits that come with instructions to build specific models can potentially restrict imaginative play, diminishing their effectiveness as developmental tools, as noted by Mariana Brussoni, a faculty member at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine and director of the Human Early Learning Partnership. Brussoni expressed concerns that these new high-tech products could pose similar limitations by directing children’s play scenarios through predefined sounds and movements.
Dr. Jillian Roberts, an educational psychology professor at the University of Victoria, views any initiative that steers children away from screens and promotes social interaction positively. She believes that encouraging kids to engage in hands-on play and collaborate with peers is beneficial. However, she cautions that these toys may not be suitable for children with sensory sensitivities, such as those with autism spectrum disorder or photosensitive epilepsy, urging parents to consider their child’s sensory needs before purchasing these products.
The upcoming toys are scheduled for release on March 1, with pre-orders commencing this Friday, as indicated on Lego’s website. Notably, these innovative toys come at a premium price point, with a Darth Vader-themed set priced at $69.99 US (approximately $97) and another featuring Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia priced at $89.99 US (just over $124).