Centers are a wonderful way to enable your preschooler to not only express his or her creativity, but also to take ownership of learning. Here is a unique center idea for you to create at home or in the classroom. Remember that each child is individual, and while some children may not need assistance, others may need your supervision. Below this Lego center idea is a follow up idea, to use either as a post center activity or as a reinforcement challenge.

Lego Center Idea

"Lego Community"- Set up a Lego table, and invite your preschooler to create a community scene. Many of the Duplo sets, as well as the regular Lego sets offer a variety of community themed building projects. Be sure to offer a variety of pieces, such as doors, windows, wheels for cars and pieces to build a house or building. You may choose to assist your preschooler in building one full set, such as a firetruck. Discuss the community with your child, too. Talk about what makes up a community and who is part of your individual community. After building your preschooler will surely want to play with their creation, which is perfect for their imagination.

Follow Up Activity: Before your child disassembles their community for free play time with the parts, take a photo of them with the community. Later, you can develop the picture (or print it) and create a "Builders Scrapbook". In this book your child can write a sentence or a few words to describe the community that they created, and share this with friends and family. You can even send the photo online or post it to a blog so everyone can see the awesome creation your preschooler made! As you add Lego sets to your themes, you can add to this "Builders Scrapbook".

Additional follow up can be online educational games at Duplo.Lego.com where your child can play community themed games, watch mini movies, or read a story.
The "Fun Zone" on the Lego Duplo site offers a variety of games, from counting to color matching. There is also an area to download coloring and activity sheets, like mazes. Have a block or two of fun!