Whether your child is currently into Batman®, Disney princesses or Smurfs, your child’s favourite TV characters can become powerful teaching tools, says Valérie Couderc, owner of Bricks 4 Kidz® in Switzerland.

1. Playful learning

Scientists agree that children learn best through playing. By incorporating your child’s current favourite TV characters into educational lessons about science, maths or other subjects, your child will be more motivated and able to concentrate longer.

You’d be surprised to see how long a group of 8-year-olds will sit quietly to build a Bat-mobile with technic LEGO® bricks in one of our Batman®-themed workshops or parties. 

2. Social skills

Children love to imitate their on-screen heroes in real life. Provided that the TV-series or film is age appropriate with positive messages, you can use the children’s TV characters to your advantage to teach your child acceptable forms of behaviour. Would Superman® approve of him or her taking another child’s toy or being mean to his or her little sister?

3. Creativity

Your child may start by re-enacting what he or she saw on screen, but soon the children’s TV character will become a springboard for more creative play for example Batman® may even meet a Disney Princess for tea. This type of creative play is a great way for your child to stretch his or her imagination.

4. Language skills

Children will pick up new words they hear their characters use on screen and start using these when they’re re-enacting scenes from the film or TV show. This is a great opportunity for you to explain new words, meanings and difficult concepts to your child when he or she will be more receptive.

5. Teaching values

Children’s TV characters often face tricky moral dilemmas. Use this to your advantage to discuss the difference between right and wrong. Many of the characters teach values such as honesty, respect, and friendship and can be used as a positive role model for your child.

6. Maths skills

Children’s TV Character toys can be used very effectively to teach STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills, because the child is already engaged and when these concepts are introduced, your child will not even realize that he or she is learning something new. At Bricks 4 Kidz®, we use various themes, including TV characters and topical events, to teach STEM skills in a fun, interactive way.

You’ll find information about our Bricks 4 Kidz® holiday workshops, including fun themes around children’s TV characters, here.