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| Unfinished jigsaw puzzle screenshot - butterfly on flowers (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| a drawing of a 4 piece jigsaw puzzle (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| A "whimsy" from a nautical-themed wooden jigsaw puzzle. Puzzle by The Wentworth Wooden Jigsaw Company Limited (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| English: Puzzle Krypt (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Download Jigsaw puzzle wheel - Royalty Free Stock Photographyfrom © Dreamstime.com
Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent source of educational value for children of all ages. This is because to
complete a jigsaw involves the child using several different aspects of the
thinking process. This article will explain how you can use puzzles with very young children to accelerate their learning
development. An infant initially learns to recognize objects by their
shape and not necessarily what position the object is in. A chair is a chair whether it is upside down, upright or lying on it's side it doesn't matter. The simple puzzles produced for young children help to develop more refined recognition and definition skills. There are valuable learning experiences that can be gained from puzzle activities. Firstly hand-eye co-ordination is necessary to manipulate the piece into the correct position. To fit the piece exactly involves observing the shape of the hole as well as the shape of the
puzzle piece. At first a young child deals with the problem by trial and error and sometimes force. The guidance and example of a parent begins to solidify the process. The youngster starts to develop
spatial awareness and mental manipulation as well as increasing physical dexterity.
Skill and ability develops as the child learns to place the piece in correctly and internalization of the process occurs. Such skills are foundational for reading. When trying to do a jigsaw puzzle children soon discover is that it does matter which way up the puzzle piece is. It does not fit in the space unless it is in a certain position. A typical early childhood puzzle is wooden with a picture and has spaces where the pieces fit to complete the picture. With a street scene, for example, there might be a separate car shape, bus shape, and a truck shape that complete a puzzle. Early learning puzzles are typically robust as the first response of an infant is to try to force the piece into place taking no notice of its shape. With adult guidance the young child learns to manipulate the piece until it does fit exactly. The role of the parent is very important. Talking about the picture and demonstrating the correct method to complete it, will facilitate the child's
learning process. This creates a great opportunity to increase your little one's vocabulary, as well as increase the recognition of objects and situations outside the child's immediate world. Early childhood puzzles can be purchased in varying degrees of difficulty as your youngster's spatial and reasoning skills become more developed. Children learn to recognize color and shape by playing. Adult conversation increases the potential of the young learner's understanding and development. When introducing a new puzzle spend time doing it with the child at first. Make this a happy social time and lots of fun. Do a puzzle with your child long enough to maintain interest and attention, but be ready to move on to another activity as focus begins to tire. Eventually children will want to do puzzles by themselves as their dexterity and confidence increases, With praise and encouragement children will practice until the skills become familiar. Then is the time to introduce puzzles with a greater challenge. In this technical age do not forget the simple jigsaw puzzle. The benefits and educational value of doing puzzles with your children far out weigh the small amount of time and money a parent invests in this great learning tool.
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