Through our innovative approach to play-based learning, we have compiled a lot of resources for you to use in your lessons. Resources Six Bricks Padlet Six Bricks World Ideas Six Bricks Resources The following resources are recommended when conducting Six Bricks Activities: CAPS Activities VIDEOS BOOKS SUDUKO MIDLINE TEMPLATES INFORMATION FIND ME FAST Find a Certified Six Bricks Facilitator Near You! Explore our directory of qualified facilitators from around the world and connect with experts who can bring the Six Bricks learning approach to life. Whether you're looking for workshops, training, or hands-on guidance, our facilitators are ready to support you. View Our Global Facilitator List Now! Open Play Box Resources The following resources are recommended when conducting Play Box Activities: ACTIVITIES Care For Education has developed over 250 activities for Six Bricks which cover various aspects of child development (± 3 - 12 years). These activities are contained in an easy-to-use teacher guide and are only available from Hands on Technologies . The global Six Bricks community is growing and thriving with many Six Brickers creating inspirational activities all based on the characteristics of PLAY. Because we love sharing and don’t want to lose any interesting and fun ideas, we promote and share Six Bricks resources developed by our Six Bricks Community from all over the world. Subscribe and become a member of the Six Bricks Community Facebook page and start sharing your ideas with the benefit of interacting with people that value learning through play . Below is some of the content developed by our international play champions! Grobby Six Bricks - Farmyard Adventure Grobby Six Bricks is a Superhero / Superheroine. Unlike the caped superheroes, Grobby uses Six bricks, brain power and problem solving skills to devise a solution to a pressing problem. This is a story to be shared and enjoyed by the children. The story will act as a springboard for the children to write their own Grobby Six Bricks stories. Author: Martin Pender Read all about GROBBY or order the book here Six Bricks Interactive Whiteboard Software This is an amazing software support to all Six Bricks Enthusiasts & Practitioners + it’s FREE! The Software is full of great ways to use Six Bricks in curriculum. Tip: when you access the software and the 35+ tools, be sure to check out the ‘Teacher Notes’ above each toolbar to get an idea of how to operate and apply the software in curriculum. Link to: Six Bricks Software Author: Martin Pender Watch a video of a 'reading' of the book below. Different on the outside but the same on the inside! Each idea has a broad focus which could be Loving Language , Number Fun or Moving and Learning , so they may look a little different on the outside, but each idea includes all the richness that comes with Learning through Play. Use the activities below to make learning fun! Moving & Learning Human Brick Conveyor Belt Wonky Towers Sleight of Hand 3D Hide and Think What is the secret letter? Number Fun Towers with a Twist How many studs can you see? How many are left? Tower Take Down! Estimate and Check Loving Language Building with Language Bringing Storybooks to Life Bricks & Bat, Balloons & Balls Build your Ice Cream Tops and Tails

CAPS-Aligned Activities Note: Our CAPS-Aligned Weekly Activities are created for South African Foundation Phase teachers . Try these fun weekly activities suited for Grade R to Grade 3. • Aligned with CAPS & DBE Workbooks (blue books) • Term & week specific Term 3 Term 2 Term 1 Each activity is tailored to specific terms and weeks, making lesson planning easier for teachers while keeping young learners excited and engaged.

Care for Education is a Non Profit Organisation and a partner of the LEGO Foundation. We distribute charity resources and training to children, schools and organisations in need. We aim to impact early childhood development and the Foundation Phase. Welcome to the home of Playful Learning For easy access, click any button below to tour our site. ABOUT US WORKSHOPS RESOURCES SIX BRICKS PLAY BOX Our Mission is to inspire life-long learning through the engagement of concrete manipulatives which challenge and empower educators and children to make positive changes in their development. Our Philosophy as Care for Education stems from our belief that learning should take place through construction rather than instruction, and that many more concrete, tactile tools or manipulatives should be used, not only to stimulate and encourage the learners, but to greatly accelerate the conceptualisation process and to allow children to become more inventive, curious and creative. Care for Education's Golden Circle To improve the lives of those in marginalized or vulnerable communities, particularly children, by working with partners, providing training and resources to foster skills development and well-being, through play-based approaches that promote exploration and empathy, encourage collaboration and innovation, inspiring the builders of tomorrow to dream big. Listen to 15 years of CFE podcast to learn more about our journey. 15 Years of CFE CFE 00:00 / 06:26 created with NotebookLM Six Bricks International Facilitators Around the World Workshops The invention of Six Bricks A team from Hands on Technologies started working on an idea, that Brent Hutcheson had imagined, around using only Six DUPLO bricks. What is Six Bricks CFE 00:00 / 06:26 created with NotebookLM Interview about Six Bricks - a Beyond the Brick video RESOURCES VIDEOS This basic set of six different coloured DUPLO 2x4-stud bricks is used to encourage children to construct and (more importantly) to deconstruct ideas and concepts whilst working on and developing their perceptual skills. Six Bricks activities help to develop core learning skills – self-regulation; curiosity; creativity & playfulness – the foundation for all later learning, as children solve problems, understand themselves, others and the world around them. The idea of using Six Bricks is based on a belief that children need to be exposed to perceptual (obtaining information from senses)-motor (learning to move with control and efficiency) experiences, which require them to use their brain and body together. This is important for most classroom activities - as in writing, for example, where the child must know the alphabet and how words are formed by combining letters. The child must then transform this knowledge into action – gripping, stabilizing and moving the pencil. The child’s perceptual skill of sight will be used to adjust the movements to create the required pattern or shape. This example illustrates how the mind and body must work together. Performing physical activities also build neural pathways and the more neural pathways the brain has, the easier it is to learn. Perceptual-motor skills are necessary and important in preparing the child’s brain for learning – they build that strong base to support future academic learning. Care for Education's impact extends globally, with collaborations spanning various regions. Partnering with organisations like IRC (Play Matters) , SOS Children Villages and UNICEF , we've conducted training sessions on learning through play using Six Bricks in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. We have also supported LEGO Foundation teams with training and workshops in Denmark, Mexico, US, New Zealand, India, Italy, Ukraine and Poland. We currently have more than 58 active Six Bricks facilitators located outside South Africa, operating globally in diverse settings such as schools, remedial centres, hospitals, and even old-age homes. Several of these facilitators participated in a week-long Six Bricks seminar hosted at the heart of Six Bricks in South Africa in 2023. Six Bricks Workshop: Join us for a fun workshop and discover playful ways of teaching and learning using Six Bricks. Six Bricks FPI Online Course: This course introduces you to play-based learning & how to integrate it in foundation phase. Suitable for teachers FPI Find a Certified Six Bricks Facilitator Near You! Explore our directory of qualified facilitators from around the world and connect with experts who can bring the Six Bricks learning approach to life. Whether you're looking for workshops, training, or hands-on guidance, our facilitators are ready to support you. View Our Global Facilitator List Now! Open DUPLO Play Box Videos The LEGO Foundation utilizes two types of Play Boxes for global humanitarian efforts. These boxes are filled with DUPLO bricks by retired LEGO group employees, using pieces from damaged and returned boxes. This initiative operates under the name LEGO Charity. Care for Education is deeply involved with Play Boxes in Southern Africa. The DUPLO Play Box contains a variety of DUPLO elements which are valuable as teaching / learning tools in any Early Childhood curriculum as they facilitate development and learning through play. Teacher-guided activities with the DUPLO help children to develop both physically and cognitively. Children are curious about their environment and for learning to take place, they need to be stimulated through their sense of taste, touch, sight, hearing, smell, and they need to move. Children need to be encouraged to explore, create, play and interact with others and their surroundings. The manipulation of concrete material is essential to the young child’s concept development and the large elements in the DUPLO Play Box are the perfect size for young children to handle confidently. They are able to quickly build outside of their field of vision, thereby developing abstract thinking. The child can use his/her own imagination to build creative solutions to problems when playing with the contents of this box. This active learning stimulates the emotional, social, cognitive and physical developmental areas of the child - skills in these areas are needed for critical thinking and learning to take place. Browse our video library showing some excellent L earning through Play practice and meet some inspiring Play Box practitioners across different Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres around South Africa. All Videos Care For Education Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Little Folks Nursery School 01:37 Play Video Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Ep.1 Siyamthemba 03:32 Play Video Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Ep. 2 Mamshoba ECD Centre 02:20 Play Video Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Ep 3 Bambinos Early Learning 01:03 Play Video During ECD visits, the researchers at Care for Education support practitioners as they show some of their best playful learning activities. What's Trending? BLOG Big Ideas, Bright Hearts & DUPLO Play Boxes – March Training Magic! 145 0 comments 0 10 likes. Post not marked as liked 10 Partnering with Communities to Improve Early Childhood Education 130 0 comments 0 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Bricks of Wisdom: Teachers Share How Learning through Play with Six Bricks Transforms Learning 97 0 comments 0 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 About us PB SB

Use our Six Bricks Books filled with content around play-based learning. Six Bricks Books Books Index Groups & Games Perceptual Skills Literacy Skills Physical Skills Numeracy Skills Social - Emotional

Overview How to Play

Unlock the power of playful learning with our workshops and courses, designed to revolutionize your teaching approach! Our expert-led workshops offer practical tools and strategies to help you foster curiosity, spark imagination, and promote a love for learning in children of all ages. Workshops View our workshops below and click the button of the workshop you are interested in to start transforming your teaching into an exciting, playful adventure! Learning through Play ECD ECD Join our hands-on workshop to discover creative ways to bring Learning Through Play into your program, with fun activities and laughter, all aligned with the National Curriculum Framework! LSEN Workshop: LSEN Bring learning to life! This hands-on workshop explores playful interventions and practical strategies to support learners with special needs through Learning Through Play. Specialised Workshop: Special Custom-crafted workshops with a playful twist! Perfect for teams, big organisations, and focused projects. Got a fun idea? Let’s bring it to life together! Facilitator Course: Facilitator Dive into a 4-day Learning Through Play adventure in the heart of South Africa! This workshop is for people involved in the facilitation space. Therapist Workshop: Therapist A 2-day HPCSA-accredited workshop for therapists and healthcare pros! Add a playful touch to your practice with hands-on skills you can use right away. Six Bricks Workshop: Six Bricks This workshop is for teachers and practitioners who have access to the Six Bricks tool and want to discover playful ways of teaching and learning using Six Bricks. FPI Online Course: This course introduces you to play-based learning & how to integrate it in foundation phase. Suitable for teachers FPI Whether you're a teacher, educator, or caregiver, our courses will empower you to create engaging, fun-filled environments that fuel creativity and enhance educational outcomes. HOME

Application Application Applications and Training for DUPLO , LEGO and Six Bricks are closed and will re-open on the 10th of January 2023.

Your application has been received! Please be aware that currently there is a waiting list to receive items. A Care for Education representative will contact you once items have been allocated and are ready for collection / delivery.

< Back Creating Opportunities for Playful Learning: Teachers in Mount Frere, Eastern Cape, using Six Bricks to teach the curriculum Jessica Winter 08 Aug 2023 Schools in rural contexts provide a particular lens to observe and understand the complexity of implementing play programs in these settings. These investigations could highlight possibilities and potential, as well as reveal challenges. The report will delve into the perceptions and difficulties experienced by some teachers. Recommendations will be provided to address these challenges and enhance the support and integration of Six Bricks. Eastern Cape_Mount Frere_August 2023 .pdf Download PDF • 1.41MB Previous Next

Kelly Hutcheson: The Global Play Rebellion Rooted in Six Bricks At Care for Education, we’ve always believed in the profound power of play. Few embody this belief with more fierce dedication and transformative insight than Kelly Hutcheson. Her journey with us, particularly alongside her father, Brent Hutcheson, in the development and global dissemination of the Six Bricks methodology, was the forging of a revolutionary new approach in education and parenting. Today, Kelly Hutcheson continues to champion a radical rethinking of childhood, education, and parenting, and her foundations were solidified here, amidst the colorful potential of six simple bricks. From "Problem Child" to Play-Driven Pioneer Kelly’s mission is deeply personal. Growing up navigating the challenges of dyslexia within traditional education systems, she was often labeled the "problem child." It was a label that could have defined her, confined her. But in her home, a different story was being written… one where play-based learning became the key that unlocked a world of understanding and unique capability. Her perceived "disruptions" were recognized as creative breakthroughs, her "struggles" as the forging of unique problem-solving pathways. This personal transformation became a shared vision. Witnessing the profound impact of this approach, her father, Brent Hutcheson, a foundational innovator at Care for Education, developed Six Bricks . What began as an intuitive response to one child’s needs blossomed, with the support of entities like the LEGO Foundation, into a global movement. Kelly was at the heart of this, translating personal experience into actionable, international training, playing a pivotal role in bringing Six Bricks to educators and children in diverse countries like Ireland, China, Germany, Egypt, the US, and Ukraine. Challenging the Death of Genius Kelly Hutcheson’s work with Six Bricks and Care for Education laid the groundwork for a broader, more urgent calling: to challenge the very foundations of systems that, in her words, often contribute to The Death of Genius . She argues that our current educational and parenting paradigms, obsessed with conformity and control, are systematically stifling the innate brilliance within every child . She believes children don’t need more instruction, just more freedom. Less top-down control, more intrinsic curiosity. Less relentless scheduling, more space for the kind of productive struggle that builds true confidence. For Kelly Hutcheson, The Secret to Smarter Kids isn't found in accelerated academics or a pile of educational toys, but in nurturing their natural ability to learn through play, to question fearlessly, and to trust their own minds. Her philosophy is a direct challenge: "You say you want independence but you interrupt every attempt at it. You say you value empathy but model emotional reactivity and call it “protection.”... We are raising children to be obedient machines in a system that is emotionally bankrupt and then we wonder why they don’t know how to care. Empathy is dying. Because our children have never seen it lived." This is about questioning the deep-seated fears and societal pressures that lead to over-parenting and restrictive educational environments. From Denmark's Innovation to Diverse Curricula Kelly Hutcheson’s commitment to this vision is backed by extensive, hands-on international experience. Her journey has taken her from facilitating Six Bricks training globally with Care for Education to: Greengates International School, Mexico Nova Pioneer, South Africa Sandton Junior Colleges, South Africa International School of Billund (ISB), Denmark This diverse exposure, coupled with degrees in Early Childhood Development and Learning Support from the University of Pretoria, and research on international reading programs at Harvard University (focusing on the Tools of the Mind Curriculum), has given her a unique understanding of how children learn best across various cultural and systemic contexts. Her expertise also extends to Special Needs education, ensuring her approach is inclusive and adaptable. She has also served as a World LEGO Robotics Competition Judge, underscoring her connection to playful innovation. The Play Alchemist & Free the Child The fire ignited during her time with Care for Education and the global Six Bricks movement now burns brighter with The Play Alchemist . Through this platform, Kelly offers parents and educators a new paradigm, tools, and the fierce conviction needed to transform homes and classrooms into laboratories of creativity, critical thinking, and authentic self-discovery. This philosophy, this urgent call to action, has culminated in her provocative book, Free the Child . It’s a direct, often uncomfortable, but ultimately liberating guide for parents ready to dismantle fear-based habits, step back from over-intervention, and cultivate true resilience and independence in their children. Free the Child is a manifesto for a new generation of parenting. Kelly Hutcheson is a catalyst for change, deeply connected to the Care for Education family and the legacy of Six Bricks, now taking those foundational principles to challenge and inspire a global audience. Her message is clear: if you're ready to question everything, to embrace discomfort for the sake of profound growth, and to truly free your child, Kelly Hutcheson is leading the charge.

Start using Play Box resources for your teaching and learning. Resources Play Box Activities Activities Information Play Box Lego Fun and Games Play Box Lego Language Play Box Lego Life Skills Play Box Lego Maths with photos Play Box Lego Maths Play Box Lego Social Sciences Play Box Lego Technology Guidelines for sorting and storing your LEGO DUPLO Play box activity booklet LEGO Play box activity booklet Field of Vision Play Box Summary