Use of LEGO® serious play® and other working approaches in youth in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research explores the possibility of providing a general guideline for the use of LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) in youth work and examining the experiences of the frontline youth workers in Hong Kong who have adopted LSP to engage youngsters, who have been experiencing enormous socioeconomic challenges in different aspects. A 12-session workshop applied into social training for special educational needs (SEN) secondary students was held with the major objective of enhancing their communication skills. All sessions were divided into three parts: introduction, utilization, and expression. Most participants’ abilities in oral description and word usage improved upon completion of the workshop, and they have more motivation and initiation in communicating with others in the group. LSP could thus be proven as a useful method in the SEN workshop in terms of establishing rapport and relationships, expressing the participants’ thoughts, as it has provided an alternative for trainers to support the kids concern. Apart from LSP, this research has also found that other approaches such as snorkeling, adventured-based counseling, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could also be effective approaches adopted by practitioners to support young people.