By Romy Stephens
A local non-for-profit organisation’s virtual Lego challenge has received a flood of support during its first week of operation.
Cire Services’ Lock Down Lego Challenge began on 1 April and has seen over 750 members join the challenge since then.
Cire’s Chirnside Park Community Hub coordinator Naomi Taylor organised the challenge, which sees members build Lego creations based on a new theme each day and then post their build on the Facebook group.
Ms Taylor said she first thought of the idea to try and get her son off technology and screens while he was isolated during school holidays.
She then flagged the idea with Cire and they created a Facebook group so other families could get involved as well.
“There’s kind of the secondary benefit, we’re amusing the kids and they are getting less screen time but it goes through the parents’ Facebook account,” she said.
“It means that the parent is actually getting that interaction as well.”
The challenge has seen hundreds of families post pictures of their creations for themes such as circus, easter egg, food, and robots.
Ms Taylor said that when school returns, themes will revolve around subjects such as maths.
“I’m going to try and put school subjects in like show maths using lego. You could spell out an equation or you could make a pattern,” she said.
“It would get kids actually using lego to learn more.”
Ms Taylor said the experience of creating the group and communicating with other parents has really helped her personally during this period of isolation.
“I have found it inspiring, I’ve found that it’s actually energised me,” she said.
“We’ve been going for a week now and over the week it’s actually transformed how I see this period.
“Because I’m trying to post positively on every picture, it’s actually changing my mindset.”
Ms Taylor said that when school goes back she hopes to convert the online group to an after school program or school holiday activity.
Cire Services Inc is one of the largest not for profits serving the Yarra Ranges Council area and beyond.
To join the lego challenge, join the Lock Down Lego Challenge Facebook Group.
