LaQ for Parents and Educators
LaQ is an award-winning educational toy experience designed and made in Japan. It has been endorsed by numerous education professionals as an ideal learning development toy and received several awards including the Dr. Toy Top 10 Building, Top 10 Creative and 100 Best categories awards.
It’s used as an open-ended tool that encourages and supports learning. Children learn ways to express creative imagination and build their concentration simply through play.
LaQ is suitable for children ages 4 and above and it has been used in over 3,000 primary schools, kindergartens and childcare centers around the world for over 20 years. It’s a safe toy to play with, regularly tested for US, European, Japanese and Australian safety standards.
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FROM PLAYING WITH LAQ
LaQ Encourages Brain Development
“Playing with LaQ encourages the growth of a child’s brain by stimulating the temporal association cortex where information of colors and shapes is transmitted. The parietal association area is related to detecting spatial positions. The cerebellum and motor area also influence dexterity and motor coordination. When playing with LaQ, information of shapes and colors is sent to the prefrontal region of the brain where decisions are made regarding the necessary steps to imagine and create shapes of various sizes and forms. After doing research on a child’s brain while playing with LaQ, it was confirmed that the neural network of both the left and right brain become highly active. LaQ is recommended as an ideal toy to aid the growth of the brain. It is also an ideal toy for children and parents to communicate with each other.”
Dr.Akio Mori
Professor and Doctor of Medical Science at Nihon University
The Connection Between LaQ and the Human Brain
“The right brain, also known as the unconscious brain used for intuitive thinking is stimulated while using imagination, expressiveness and color coordination when playing with LaQ. The left brain, also known as the conscious brain used for language abilities is stimulated by using concentration, mathematical and logical thinking when piecing together LaQ parts to create the shapes envisioned in a child’s mind. The photograph below shows the brain of an 8 year old boy at resting state and also when playing with LaQ.”
At Rest
Playing with LaQ
LEFT AND RIGHT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Some of the key benefits of left and right brain development while playing with LaQ are:
Creativity & Expression
There is no restriction. Children can easily start with simple models and build open-ended shapes and structures with their imagination
Imaginative play doesn't just stop at building - the models are sturdy and can be incorporated into their play
Color sense is enhanced through use of the 12 color palette. They are encouraged to substitute colors when they run out of pieces, and to seek complementary matching patterns
Social Development
Playing with a shared toy encourages social skills, communication and language skills. Children can work together as a team to design and build intricate and thoughtful structures using their creativity, imagination and logical thinking
We often find children learning from each other, and problem solving together on how to build new models
Logical Thinking & Problem Solving
LaQ encourages problem solving, spatial ability and logical thinking. Children need to solve issues such as what color to use, where the next piece goes, which one to use and how to make the structure they want to build.
They learn techniques that build upon each other. From initially building 2D patterns, they quickly start to use curved shapes, and expand through making geometric shapes
Their spatial and engineering ability is enhanced by initially following the 3D instructions. Later on, children often extend models by substituting new parts to enable their own creation
Concentration & Perseverance
LaQ pieces make a fun snapping noise when putting the pieces together. A child will know that the pieces are firmly connected with this snapping noise
The tactile feel, and snapping sound provides a reward for children to keep on going. Many adults also find it similar to popping bubble wrap, and this provides a continual sense of satisfaction in playing
Children develop persistence and concentration as they build the models, starting with the simple instructions and then mastering more complex models
Fine Motor Skills & Dexterity
Children, generally from the age of 4, start to have the fine motor skills to connect the parts together. The Snap and Click sound, once parts are successfully connected, encourages younger children to persist with developing their dexterity. We observe rapid development of fine motor skills when kids play with LaQ
Creating more complex 3D models often requires connection of groups of parts together, and this continues to develop children's fine motor skills
The Simplicity of Only 7 Basic Parts & Infinite Possibilities of 120 Degree Angle
"What makes LaQ such an entertaining construction toy is its simplicity. Consisting of only 7 basic parts including a 120 degree angle part, the possibilities of LaQ are limitless. A child can create infinite varieties of shapes and structures using his or her ideas, imagination, and dexterity. As such, LaQ is a very compelling toy for a child because he or she can make ideas into reality, being able to see, hold and play with his or her unique creation."
Mr. Yutaka Nakano
Mathematical Science Teacher at Jiyunomori Gakuen School.
Skeleton model of an Elk made with LaQ parts by the Skeleton Research Club at the Jiyunomori Gakuen School.