How to Build Together: Reader, Sorter, Builder

Building a brick mosaic together works well when everyone has one clear job: one person reads the map, one sorts the colors, and one presses the bricks. This guide shows how to set up those three roles at home or in a classroom, with simple turn-taking tips for autistic kids, siblings, parents and anyone else who wants to join in.

The idea comes from the role structure used in LEGO-based therapy, the best-studied brick activity for autistic children. This is a family activity, not therapy, and it is not a substitute for one. For the research in plain words, including how small the measured results were, see our main guide to brick mosaics as a calm, shared activity.

Where the three roles come from

In LEGO-based therapy, a small group of three children builds a model together. Each child has a role:

• Engineer: reads the instructions and describes what is needed.
• Supplier: finds the right bricks and hands them over.
• Builder: puts the bricks in place.

The roles give everyone something concrete to do and a reason to communicate. A brick mosaic fits this structure well, because it has a printed map, bricks sorted into color bags, and one simple action: pressing a 1×1 brick onto a baseplate.

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

The three roles, adapted to a mosaic

The Reader

The Reader holds the printed color map and says which color comes next. For example: "Three blue, then one white." The Reader can point to the spot on the map, say it out loud, or both.

Helpful for the Reader:

• A ruler or a strip of paper under the current row, so the place is never lost.
• A pencil to tick off each finished row on a copy of the map.
• Permission to point instead of talk. Pointing counts.

The Sorter

The Sorter looks after the colors. The bricks come in small bags labeled by color, so the Sorter opens the bags that are needed, keeps colors apart, and hands over the next brick or a small handful.

Helpful for the Sorter:

• A muffin tin, ice cube tray or a few small bowls, one color in each.
• Opening only the colors needed for the current row or section.
• A "done" bowl for any bricks that end up in the wrong place.

The Builder

The Builder presses each brick onto the baseplate in the spot the Reader names. It is a small, repeated motion.

Helpful for the Builder:

• Building one row at a time, from one side to the other.
• Using the building tool included in the kit to remove a brick placed in the wrong spot.
• A good light over the baseplate, so the rows are easy to see.

Getting started

Pick a size for the group

For two or three people, the 20×20 kit is a comfortable start: 4,096 bricks on four baseplates, with an estimated build time of about 4 hours in total. Each baseplate is a natural place to pause or switch roles. For a shorter first try, a 16×16 (2,500 bricks on one baseplate, about 2.5 hours) is smaller still. Larger sizes have more baseplates, so a bigger group can work on different ones at the same time.

Choose the picture together

Agree on a photo before you start. A pet, a place you all know, or a family picture works well. Upload it in the Memobrick editor and look at the preview together.

Explain the roles before the first brick

Explain each job simply, show it once, and let everyone choose a role to start with. You could write the three roles on cards. A short visual schedule ("Reader, Sorter, Builder, then switch") can help everyone know what comes next.

Turn-taking tips

The roles give turn-taking a clear shape. Here are simple ideas to try. Use the ones that fit your group.

Switch on a clear signal

Decide in advance when roles switch. Good signals are:

• After every row, or every five rows.
• After one baseplate.
• When a timer goes off (10 or 15 minutes works for many groups).

A predictable switch avoids arguments about who goes next.

Use a visible turn marker

Hand a small object to whoever has the next turn, or move a card along a strip that shows the order. Seeing whose turn it is can be easier than remembering it.

Let people stay in a favorite role

Not everyone wants to switch. If one person loves sorting and another only wants to press bricks, that is fine. The roles are a tool, not a rule.

Keep words short and the same each time

Use the same phrases every time: "Next color?", "Blue, three", "Done". Consistent words make the job predictable for everyone.

Make mistakes easy to fix

If a brick goes in the wrong place, the Builder removes it with the tool and tries again. Say it once, calmly, and move on. A mosaic is very forgiving.

Stop before anyone is done with it

End the session while it is still going well, at the next stopping point. It is easier to start again next time.

In a classroom

Teachers and teaching assistants can run several groups of three, each on its own baseplate of a larger mosaic, or each with its own smaller kit. If you work with students professionally, our page for occupational therapists and special-education teachers covers planning a classroom build.

A safety note on small parts

The kit has many small bricks. It is not suitable for young children or for anyone who puts things in their mouth. Keep loose bricks off the floor and away from small children and pets.

FAQ

Is this the same as LEGO-based therapy?

No. It borrows the three-role structure (engineer, supplier, builder) and adapts it to a mosaic for families and classrooms. LEGO-based therapy is a structured program studied in research. This guide is not therapy.

How many people do we need?

Three is ideal, one per role. Two people can share: one reads and sorts while the other builds. One person can do all three jobs alone.

How often should we switch roles?

Pick a clear signal before you start, such as every row, every baseplate, or every 10 to 15 minutes. Some people prefer to keep one role the whole time, and that is fine too.

What size should a group start with?

A 20×20 has four baseplates, which gives natural places to switch roles. A 16×16 is a shorter first build on one baseplate.

Can Memobrick make the design for us?

Yes, if you want help. Memobrick's designers can create it and send a free proof before production. It is optional, and you can always make it yourself in the editor.

More in this series

• Brick mosaics as a calm, shared activity for autistic kids and adults
• Sensory-friendly building tips
• Turning a special interest into a brick mosaic

Start your group build

Choose a photo everyone likes and start your design in the editor. Prefer help with the design? Ask for a free proof.