LEGO bricks – those colorful, interlocking blocks loved by generations – aren’t just for children. In the hands of Saira Gulamani, a UAE resident and educator, they become tools to stimulate the minds and forge bonds between young and old.
For eight years, Gulamani, a trained LEGO bricks educator and robotics, coding, and AI teacher, has explored the therapeutic potential of construction play for the elderly. She finds LEGOs spark communication, memory, motor skills, and most importantly, connections with younger family members. This holds particular significance in the UAE, where multigenerational households are prevalent.
“LEGO bricks speak a universal language,” Gulamani enthuses. “They enable self-expression, creativity, and problem-solving, all while offering pure fun.”
Research reinforces this observation. The LEGO Group’s 2022 Play Well Report reveals that 92% of Saudi Arabian and 94% of UAE adults view play as key to their happiness, with 95% and 94% respectively acknowledging LEGOs’ positive impact on mental health.
Gulamani, the UAE’s sole certified Six Brick facilitator – a method employing LEGOs to enhance memory, cognitive function, and motor skills – has been conducting regular workshops at 4get_me_not, a Dubai support group for Alzheimer’s patients, since February. She also works with two other community groups, one serving elderly individuals with disabilities.
“Witnessing the joy on their faces as they build something with their own hands is truly priceless,” Gulamani says. “They become children again! The workshops have been incredibly rewarding. What started as a 45-minute session turned into over two hours, with engagement increasing the longer they played.”
4get_me_not, initially founded for Alzheimer’s patients, now welcomes individuals with other mental health conditions.
“Neither age nor Alzheimer’s can prevent our seniors from enjoying their childhood passions,” says Desirée Vlekken, the group’s founder. “At 4get_me_not, we use chess and other games to encourage socialization, boost serotonin, and improve cognitive function. Thanks to Saira, we’ve rediscovered the magic of LEGO bricks.”
Vlekken adds, “Just seeing the colorful bricks brings out their inner child. Soon, everyone is lost in a happy world of their own imagination.”
Gulamani concludes, “Rediscovering the joy of youth is the perfect way to bridge family ties, especially with our seniors who hold such a vital role in our families. That’s the beauty of the LEGO 0-99 philosophy. Construction play transcends age and language, making it accessible to all.”
