Frederick Jace
While there are numerous references to the benefits of reading books, despite the abundance of electronic gadgets and gizmos, children are often attracted to simple items such as a bouncy ball, entertaining books, and cleverly designed, fascinating wooden jigsaw puzzles.
There are two early childhood development periods, which is the toddler and preschool.
Toddlers are ages 1-3 and should be given jigsaw puzzles with large pieces and straightforward content. However, parents can consider introducing puzzles with larger volumes and much smaller-sized items because they have mastered more. As a result, these children will benefit from the following:
- Hand-eye coherence is achieved by comprehending and locating jigsaw pieces.
- Recognizing a range of shapes and sizes
- Once they have mastered the setup of each puzzle, they will have problem-solving abilities.
- Starting to feel accomplishment for good work, improving self-esteem and self-perception
- They have better memory skills because they remember what they did and discovered.
- An understanding of the concept of sequence analysis in jigsaw item placement
- Various color recognition
- Object and creature classification, and other jigsaw material
Puzzles allow opportunities for parental interaction with a toddler, particularly when a new jigsaw puzzle is introduced. Although it is a valuable connective practice, it is also a chance to estimate the adequacy of each puzzle, be it a puzzle too complex or a puzzle too simple, likely to frustrate the little one. In addition, by presenting different puzzles available, other children could be consolidated into this peaceful activity, providing an excellent opportunity for friendly interaction.
Preschoolers aged 3-5 are constantly drawn to jigsaw puzzles with an increasing number of pieces and more complex/challenging content. They will receive the following additional benefits while expanding on what they learned as toddlers:
- Recognize shapes such as triangles, squares, rectangles, and so on.
- Information related to alphabetic characters and the concept of spelling
- Ability to identify and spell names, as well as simple words
- Identifying basic numbers and the thought of counting
To ensure that the benefits mentioned above are realized to the greatest extent possible, parents must understand the purchasing factors outlined below:
- Age is best suited to provide the most significant level of challenge.
- Educational worth
- Colors that are vibrant and varied
- Paints that do not contain lead
- There should be no sharp corners or dimensioning of parts to avoid choking hazards, especially to young children.
In addition, puzzles can also help people with Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia.
- Avoid kid’s puzzles with big pieces which are too simple to put together. Likewise, avoid puzzles that are too complicated or have only a few other colors. Instead, find a puzzle that is difficult but not irritable to solve.
- Simple wooden jigsaw puzzles are helpful for people in the late stages of dementia. In addition, there are puzzles specifically designed for patients with Alzheimer’s, with low piece numbers and visuals that are suitable for adults.
- When your loved one suffers arthritis or has difficulty scooping up tiny bits, keep this in mind when choosing a puzzle.
- Choose a puzzle with a pleasant image or one that will bring back memories to your loved ones.
- Arrange the puzzle area in a well-lit location where your loved ones could lie safely and comfortably.
Conclusion
Jigsaw puzzles are beneficial to the mind and body for all ages. So, on your next weekend afternoon, get lost in a puzzle just like when you were still a child.
