We have all done puzzles, they have been a childhood favourite for centuries.
But why are they beneficial?
1. Fine Motor skill development. What are fine motor skills?
The quick answer... the use and coordination of small muscles working together to complete tasks. These skills are very important and should be practised before starting school because being able to write and control a pencil involves fine motor skills. This is actually something my son was told he needed to practise at his prep orientation with his teacher and I wish I knew earlier from his kindergarten because I would have practised more at home rather than a few weeks before he started.
2. Cognitive thinking. Cognitive thinking is a fancy way of saying "remembering" in my opinion. Information comes in via an experience, they practice, they remember and they are left with a new learnt skill or memory of an experience.
3. Hand eye coordination.
4. Knowledge and practice. In this picture Connor is practicing his shapes, colours and animal name knowledge. His mum is saying them with him as he is putting them in their spots. This method can be used for number/letter knowledge as well for older children.
5. Patience. I like this one, I don't think children are presented with as many opportunities to practice patience as much as they once were. We live in a world where everything is delivered quickly, when we want it. So puzzles are a good way of teaching the lesson of patience and concentration, something that is so important as they grow older.
There are so many more benefits of puzzles, these are just some and we want to incorporate puzzles and these types of learning into our little learning boxes that will be release very soon.
Enjoy and have fun x
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