Intervention | Six Bricks

Intervention | Six Bricks

Six Bricks: A Powerful, No-Prep SEMH Intervention for Busy Teaching Assistants

 

We all know supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs can be one of the most rewarding — and demanding — roles in school. Teaching Assistants are often working one-to-one or in small groups, juggling behaviour support, emotional regulation, and learning readiness, all with very limited time to prepare resources.

That’s where Six Bricks, developed by the LEGO® Foundation, truly shines.

This simple, playful intervention uses just six LEGO® DUPLO® bricks per child to deliver high-impact support for SEMH learners — with no worksheets, no photocopying, and no advance planning required.

 

 

What Is Six Bricks?

Six Bricks is a short, structured, play-based approach designed to support self-regulation, communication, focus and emotional development through movement and hands-on learning.

Each child has the same six coloured DUPLO® bricks. Activities are quick (often 5–10 minutes), highly adaptable, and designed to help pupils think, feel and connect — making them ideal for targeted SEMH interventions.

For Teaching Assistants, this means:

  • No lengthy set-up
  • No specialist equipment
  • No pressure to “get it perfect"

Just meaningful interaction through play.


 

Why Six Bricks Works So Well for SEMH Support

Regulation Through Movement and Play

Many SEMH pupils struggle to regulate emotions, attention and impulses. Six Bricks activities are physical, rhythmic and predictable — helping pupils to:

  • Calm their bodies
  • Focus their attention
  • Transition into learning more smoothly

The tactile nature of the bricks provides grounding sensory input, which is especially helpful for anxious or dysregulated learners.


Low-Pressure Communication Opportunities

Six Bricks creates natural opportunities for talk without pressure. Pupils describe colours, follow simple instructions, copy models, or work alongside an adult — all without the fear of “getting it wrong”.

For Teaching Assistants supporting SEMH pupils, this is invaluable:

  • Language develops naturally
  • Turn-taking is practised safely
  • Trust and connection are built through shared activity

 

Builds Executive Function Skills Gently

Many SEMH learners struggle with memory, organisation and following instructions. Six Bricks activities quietly strengthen:

  • Listening and attention
  • Working memory
  • Problem-solving
  • Perseverance

Because activities feel like play, pupils are often more willing to engage — even those who resist traditional interventions.


 

Perfect for time-Poor Teaching Assistants

I hear you, TAs aren't given time to prep for intervention work!

One of the biggest strengths of Six Bricks is its simplicity.

  • Teaching Assistants can:
    pick up the bricks and start immediately
    repeat activities with confidence
    adapt challenges on the spot
    use them anywhere — classroom, nurture room, corridor or outdoor space

There is no need to plan elaborate sessions. You can respond in the moment to a pupil’s emotional state — choosing a calming activity, a focus task or a collaborative challenge as needed.


Ideal for One-to-One and Small Group Interventions

Six Bricks works beautifully in:

  • 1:1 SEMH support sessions
  • Nurture groups
  • Intervention slots
  • Morning regulation routines
  • Transition times

The shared routine builds familiarity and safety, while the activities remain flexible enough to keep pupils interested and motivated.


A Small Resource with a Big Impact

Six Bricks proves that effective SEMH support doesn’t need to be complicated. With just six bricks, Teaching Assistants can:

  • strengthen relationships
  • support emotional regulation
  • increase engagement
  • prepare pupils for learning

All while keeping preparation time to an absolute minimum.


Final Thoughts

For Teaching Assistants working tirelessly to support SEMH pupils, Six Bricks offers something rare: a low-stress, high-impact intervention that fits seamlessly into the school day.

Playful, purposeful and powerful — Six Bricks turns everyday moments into opportunities for connection, calm and confidence.

Resources suggest these interventions are effective for group intervention, I suggest working one to one and building up to group sessions dependent of the children's needs.

 

Sometimes, the smallest tools really do build the strongest foundations.

 

Resources

And here's the section you have been waiting for!

1. Now you can buy your Six Bricks sets here: Six Bricks Shop Online, Buy Six Bricks BUT I couldn't find any UK stockists and seriously you can grab six different Duplo blocks from a set you already have or from Facebook Marketplace.

2. Download your FREE Six Bricks activity booklet here: sixbricks_ok_print.pdf                   from A World of Learning Through Play

3. and some more FREE activity cards here: six-bricks-workshop-cards.pdf                                        from The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

4. Don't miss out on our other fabulous displays, resources and more here: Papyrus Printables – Papyrus Prinatbles


Good luck my fellow TAs you have got this!

 

Back to blog