October 2021

Closing the skills gap

Education systems need to keep up with the world’s rate of change to close our widening skills gap. Here’s what they can do

The LEGO Foundation

Blink and you’ll miss it: that’s how fast the world of work is changing

New careers and new skills rise to the top of employers’ most-wanted lists all the time. It makes heading into grown up life an even bigger adventure - and puts even more pressure on schools and education systems to prepare their pupils. Unfortunately, there’s no textbook or lesson plan for that. And the gap between what employers want and the skills potential employees have is growing. The good news is children have the seeds of those skills inside them from the day they’re born. To develop them, they need the space to learn through play – which is how they learn best. That means remodeling our education systems to keep up with our fast-changing world.

Four ways we can give every child the chance to learn through play

There are four big things educators, governments, and policymakers can do to give every child the chance to learn through play – and develop the breadth of skills that go with it. You can dive into the details in our report, but here’s a quick summary.

1. We need to reform education policies
2. We must invest in evidence
3. We need to turn data into progress
4. We have to work together

Dive into our latest news, research, blogs and project stories

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Try some of our favourite games

Mission Improbable

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Brick Music Sequence

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 4+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Unseen Guesses

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Traffic Lights

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Tricky Tower

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 2+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Explore the research

More
Closing the skills gap
Education systems need to keep up with the world’s rate of change to close our widening skills gap. Here’s what they can do
Future skills
Learning through play: what the science says
Do you know that play builds brains? We look at research that shows how playful learning experiences lay the foundations for brain development and develops 21st century skills
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Why school time is playtime
It’s official: play belongs in school. We’ve investigated eight different teaching methods to uncover the playfulness that’s already there. Dive in to learn more
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Children get more out of play when they take the lead. But the science shows us adults can – and should – join in. Here’s why
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How can reading be more playful?
Play is a powerful tool for children's language development. Here's why playful reading is so important.
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The relationship between learning through play and holistic skills
Learning through play helps children develop the skills they need to thrive. And we’ve got an ever-growing body of evidence to illustrate it. Take a look.
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Positive play in a digital age
Children spend more time online than ever – so it is vitally important that digital platforms are a safe space to explore and learn through play. Here’s how organisations are steering industry and governments to put children’s wellbeing first.
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Creativity is instinctive in children – and just as essential in adults. Here’s an introduction to what we know so far about why and how we should make space for children to hone creative skills.
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Rebuilding systems around social and emotional learning
Social and emotional learning is every bit as vital as reading and writing - especially now. We spoke to policymakers around the world about how they’re reshaping education around these essential skills.
Future skills, Wellbeing

Explore more

How play unlocks essential skills

We can’t prepare children for every possible future. But we can give them space to hone the skills they need to thrive.

Play boosts wellbeing for life

Better mental health. More resilience. A love of learning that lasts a lifetime. All ways that play boosts wellbeing from childhood.

Play is for everyone, everywhere

Play is how children learn naturally. That’s what makes it so powerful, and why it’s so important to make room for play.