The power of kids’ dreams and why play time is key
LEGO launches a new TV series and product range inspired by dreams.
Sleep experts believe dreams can play a key role in helping children process complex emotions and engage their imaginations.
New global research has found 69% of children are experiencing complex emotions, such as stress or loneliness, in their day-to-day lives, with one in four (24%) citing events in the world or on social media as causes.
More than 23,000 children from 29 different countries were surveyed, with two thirds reporting that dreams are important and help them be more creative during the day.
The survey looked at children’s imaginations, the psychology of dreams and their importance in processing emotions, problem-solving and the importance of play for creative experimentation.
In Australia, 67% of children say dreaming helps them explore their creative imagination. The most common feelings described when dreaming are adventurous (38%), funny (28%) and curious (26%), showing just how important dreaming is as a vehicle for children to explore their creativity.
Working with the LEGO Group on the research, psychologist and behavioural sleep expert Dr Shelby Harris.
“Kids are natural dreamers and experimenters but as they get older, societal pressures begin to confine them and limit their imaginations. Dreaming is a universal phenomenon generally welcomed by children across the globe. With more stress and demands in their daily lives, encouraging free play and creativity is important in today’s world,” explains Dr Shelby.
“The research has clearly shown that kids that have access to free play time increases their frequency of dreams and as a result makes them feel happier and more imaginative. It’s great to see content like LEGO® DREAMZzz™, which shows kids how the stuff of our dreams can be used in the real world to help them reach their full creative potential.”
“Kids are natural dreamers and experimenters but as they get older, societal pressures begin to confine them and limit their imaginations.”
The LEGO® DREAMZzz™ launched with 10 episodes on May 15 and will be accompanied by a brand-new product range and further episodes from August 2023.
The product range includes Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny, Mrs. Castillo’s Turtle Van and the Nightmare Shark Ship.
The products are unlike anything the Lego Group has launched before – 80% of a Lego Dreamzzz build follows instructions, but for the final 20%, the choice of what to make is left up to the builder, meaning they can build and rebuild during play.
Watch LEGO® DREAMZzz™ episodes now and keep and eye out for a brand-new product range available from August 2023.
To celebrate the launch of LEGO® DREAMZzz™, the Lego Group has launched a competition for children to become a Chief Dream Creator. The chosen participants will be flown to Denmark, home of the LEGO Group, to join a series of DREAMZzz™ workshops.
Children aged between six and 12 years old will be encouraged to submit their own dream creation – either a simple drawing or picture of a Lego build they’ve made themselves – showing a creature or vehicle they have dreamt of.
Entry is open now and closes on June 20, 2023. For more information, click here.
Watch LEGO® DREAMZzz™ series now on the LEGO YouTube channel, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Cartoon Network.
