# BrickSmart: Leveraging Generative AI to Support Children's Spatial Language Learning in Family Block Play

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.11138 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.11138/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Spatial and embodied reasoning, one of 17 directions in LLM reasoning.
- First posted on arXiv 15 Apr 2025.

## Placed in

- LLM reasoning / [Spatial and embodied reasoning](https://mlsanity.com/lr/spatial-and-embodied-reasoning/)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [LLAMA LIMA: A Living Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Generative AI on Learning Mathematics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.18685/) (2026)
- [Prompt-to-Parts: Generative AI for Physical Assembly and Scalable Instructions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.15743/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Block-building activities are crucial for developing children's spatial reasoning and mathematical skills, yet parents often lack the expertise to guide these activities effectively. BrickSmart, a pioneering system, addresses this gap by providing spatial language guidance through a structured three-step process: Discovery & Design, Build & Learn, and Explore & Expand. This system uniquely supports parents in 1) generating personalized block-building instructions, 2) guiding parents to teach spatial language during building and interactive play, and 3) tracking children's learning progress, altogether enhancing children's engagement and cognitive development. In a comparative study involving 12 parent-child pairs children aged 6-8 years) for both experimental and control groups, BrickSmart demonstrated improvements in supportiveness, efficiency, and innovation, with a significant increase in children's use of spatial vocabularies during block play, thereby offering an effective framework for fostering spatial language skills in children.