Puzzles teach children life-skills.
Studies link puzzles in development of different areas like
- fine motor skills
- hand-eye coordination
- problem-solving skills
- spatial skills
- improved Mathematics ability
- language and vocabulary development
- patience and perseverance
- self-esteem
Puzzles for children come in different shapes, sizes and level of difficulty. Some are pictures of different things like animals and flowers and cartoon or book characters while others are more educational like shapes, colours, numbers and letters.
It is best to introduce children first to puzzles with bigger and sturdier pieces. Young children tend to put everything in their mouth so small puzzle pieces may be a choking hazard.
There are at least 4 types of puzzles that should be available in a classroom for young children.
Knobbed Matching Puzzles
These are wooden puzzles with knobs. Children simply have to match the knobbed puzzle piece on the exact picture in the puzzle board.
This may look easy because the child needs to match the piece on the exact picture in the board. The trick for them is how they can manipulate the piece to fit in the puzzle.
Plus, the knobs are great for fine motor exercise.
Non-knobbed Matching Puzzles
These are similar to the knobbed ones but without the knobs so the children need to manipulate the piece just like regular puzzle pieces.
Outline Matching Puzzle
This puzzle is increasingly difficult now, as it does not have the picture to help in matching.
Puzzle pieces match the outline instead. This is more challenging for children as they try to fit one puzzle piece at a time.
It also sharpens children’s memory.
Jigsaw Puzzle
These types of puzzles for young children usually come in 4, 6 or 9 pieces.
This is more challenging because it asks the child to study parts of a picture (in each puzzle piece) to make whole. Children need to figure out what pieces come together and how to turn each piece to complete the whole picture.
There are also digital puzzles available now, and although I like the fact that no puzzle piece will ever be misplaced in an app, I would still give good, old wooden or board puzzles for children. Call me traditional but I believe that the tactile experience of holding the puzzle piece (to figure the shape or just to hold it while thinking) is part of the whole puzzle experience.
Besides, teaching the child to pack away to make sure that no piece gets lost is another skill the child needs to learn.
Puzzles are challenging but they do not have to be frustrating. Like any sport, children should be supported to acquire new skills. Introduce them to puzzles by giving the right one according to their age and level or maturity.
Use puzzles in classrooms as a learning tool to support your theme and not just a random toy to add in your centre. Refrain from using these toys as as a formal assessment of children’s ability – unless there is a kind of puzzle specifically made as an assessment tool.
Remember, learning happens best when children enjoy what they do and find meaning to it. Playing puzzles should be fun and not something to cause aversion, else it loses its magic….
Happy playing!
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