Brick Mosaics for Occupational Therapists and Special-Education Teachers

A Memobrick brick mosaic is a kit of 1×1 bricks, white baseplates and a printed color map that builds a photo into a picture, row by row. Some occupational therapists and special-education teachers may find it a useful, flexible material for their own goals, such as fine motor practice, following a visual sequence, or turn-taking. This page describes what the kit involves so you can judge whether it fits your work.

We are a gift company, not clinicians. We make no claims that a mosaic produces any therapeutic or educational outcome. You know your students and clients, and how to set and measure goals. For a plain-language summary of the research on brick building with autistic children, see our main guide to brick mosaics as a calm, shared activity.

What the kit involves

This is a factual description of the materials, so you can plan.

Feature	What it is
Bricks	1×1 bricks only, all the same size, with round studs. Colors come from a palette of 40+ colors.
Sorting	Bricks arrive in small bags labeled by color, with a color name and number on each bag.
Map	Personalized building instructions: a printed color map of the design.
Baseplates	White baseplates. Larger sizes use several baseplates joined edge to edge.
Tool	A building tool is included, for removing bricks.
Subject	Made from any photo you upload, so the picture can be personal to the group or student.
Frames	Sold separately.

Sizes that suit sessions and groups

Size (inches)	Baseplates	Bricks	Estimated total build time
16×16	1	2,500	about 2.5 hours
20×20	4	4,096	about 4 hours
30×30	9	9,216	about 9 hours
40×40	16	16,384	about 16 hours

Build times are Shopify estimates for one builder. More sizes are listed on the product pages. A 16×16 is 50 rows of 50 bricks on one baseplate. Multi-baseplate sizes let several people build different sections at the same time. The 30×30 kit, with nine baseplates, is one option for a group.

Goals you might choose to use it for

The examples below are written as possibilities, in the kind of language practitioners use. They are not recommendations or outcome claims. Whether a mosaic suits any goal is your professional judgment.

Fine motor practice

The core action is picking up a small 1×1 brick and pressing it onto a stud. Depending on the person, you might use it to give practice with:

• Pincer grasp and picking up small objects.
• Controlled pressing and placement.
• Using the included tool to remove a brick.
• Working within a defined grid space.

Following a visual sequence

The printed color map is a visual plan with one correct color for each spot. You might use it for:

• Matching a color on the map to a labeled bag.
• Scanning a row from left to right.
• Keeping one's place, with or without a ruler or strip under the row.
• Working through a long task in small, defined steps (one row, five rows, one baseplate).

Turn-taking and cooperative work

The three roles from LEGO-based therapy (engineer, supplier, builder) adapt well to a mosaic: one person reads the map, one sorts colors, and one presses bricks. Our family guide to building together as a reader, sorter and builder covers role cards, switching signals and turn markers.

Task persistence and finishing

Progress is visible after every row, and there is a clear finish. Some practitioners may use row counts or baseplates as concrete, countable session targets.

What the research says

No study has tested brick mosaics. The best-studied related approach is LEGO-based therapy, in groups of three with set roles. The largest trial, I-SOCIALISE (250 children aged 7 to 15, 98 UK schools, 12 weekly sessions), found a small improvement in teacher-rated social skills at 20 weeks that was not statistically significant in the main analysis (effect size 0.18, p = 0.06; 0.21, p = 0.036 in the per-protocol analysis). The difference was not seen at 52 weeks. The approach was found safe and cost-effective.

Sources: PubMed Central, PubMed, DOAJ record.

Memobrick is not affiliated with the LEGO Group. LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group.

Practical planning notes

Sensory set-up

Short sessions, one row at a time, colors sorted into trays, good even lighting and a soft mat under the baseplate are simple adjustments. Our sensory-friendly building tips list more.

Choosing the picture

A subject connected to the group or to a student's special interest can make the build more engaging. Use only photos you have permission to use, and follow your school's or practice's rules on photos of students. Our guide to turning a special interest into a brick mosaic has photo tips.

Making the design

You can make the design yourself in the Memobrick editor, see it as a mosaic, and compare sizes before ordering. If you prefer, Memobrick's designers can create it and send a free proof before production. The proof is optional.

Small parts

The kit contains many small bricks. It is not suitable for young children or for anyone who puts things in their mouth. Plan supervision and clean-up for your setting.

Classroom and multi-kit orders

We do not have a set classroom or bulk price. Larger custom projects are quoted by size, quantity and requirements. If you are planning several kits for a classroom or practice, contact us and tell us what you need.

FAQ

Is a brick mosaic a therapy tool?

It is a creative kit, not a therapy product. Some practitioners may choose to use it as a material within their own sessions and goals. Memobrick makes no claims about therapeutic or educational outcomes.

What fine motor actions does building involve?

Picking up small 1×1 bricks, pressing them onto studs, and using the included tool to remove bricks. Whether that fits a given goal is your professional judgment.

Can several students work on one mosaic?

Yes. Sizes from 20×20 up are made of several baseplates, so students can work on different sections at the same time. A 30×30 has nine baseplates.

Do you offer classroom or bulk pricing?

There is no set classroom price. Larger or multi-kit projects are quoted individually. Please contact us with what you need.

Is the kit suitable for young children?

No. It contains many small bricks and is not suitable for young children or anyone who puts things in their mouth.

Is there research on brick mosaics?

Not on mosaics. The closest research is on LEGO-based therapy, where the largest trial found a small improvement in teacher-rated social skills that was not statistically significant in the main analysis. See the research section above for details and sources.

More in this series

• Brick mosaics as a calm, shared activity for autistic kids and adults
• How to build together: reader, sorter, builder
• Sensory-friendly building tips
• Turning a special interest into a brick mosaic

Try a design

Upload a photo in the Memobrick editor to see it as a mosaic and compare sizes.