| Puzzles are one of the oldest pastimes for | | | | Solving a puzzle also demands problem solving and |
| children, and there is very good reason parents | | | | reasoning skills. Children are constantly confronted |
| have been purchasing them nonstop for many | | | | with small problems that must be solved in order |
| generations. Besides giving parents quiet time to | | | | to complete the puzzle successfully. For instance, |
| do housework or just relax, there are many | | | | when it comes down to those last few missing |
| benefits for children who regularly play with | | | | pieces which are all similarly colored, the child must |
| puzzles of all varieties. | | | | determine which one goes in which spot. This is |
| Mental Stimulation | | | | usually done by process of elimination, trying one |
| Puzzles are a constant source of mental | | | | piece in each hole until it fits somewhere. |
| stimulation for children of all ages, even if they | | | | With time, children are able to solve these little |
| are simply reworking the same puzzle over and | | | | problems much faster. |
| over again. They have to think through the best | | | | Creative Interest |
| strategy for fitting the pieces together, such as | | | | Many children also are sparked to creative |
| doing the edges first and filling in the middle or | | | | activities by working puzzles. They enjoy looking |
| vice versa. They are also challenged from the | | | | at the pictures on the box and of the completed |
| first piece to the last as they try to locate | | | | puzzle and will maybe feel led to draw, paint, and |
| specific pieces and match the connecting parts up | | | | color pictures that are similar in nature. |
| so they resemble the picture on the box. | | | | Many children latch onto particular types of |
| Even electronic toys and educational games | | | | puzzles, such as a child who loves animals and the |
| currently on the market can rarely compete with | | | | child who likes bright red fire engines. While |
| the consistent challenge presented by a simple | | | | developing all of the above skills, puzzles often |
| puzzle. | | | | open a doorway to creativity as well. |
| Hand-Eye Coordination | | | | Quality Time Together |
| Developing hand-eye coordination is extremely | | | | Finally, puzzles are often a great pastime that |
| important for younger children, and puzzles are a | | | | families can enjoy together. Sitting over a difficult |
| great way to do it! The reason small children have | | | | puzzle parents are able to get their children to |
| to use oversized puzzle pieces and try a bit | | | | open up to them and talk about things they would |
| harder to fit them together is because they | | | | be more timid about in other situations. This is |
| haven't yet developed the coordination required to | | | | because their mind is distracted and they are |
| skillfully put together a puzzle with small pieces. | | | | doing an enjoyable activity while chit chatting |
| Babies start out with wooden peg puzzles with | | | | casually. |
| their tiny hands being guided by a parent. With | | | | Obviously, children and parents alike have many |
| time they are able to match the shapes and do | | | | reasons to enjoy working puzzles! From |
| those puzzles on their own, then graduate to | | | | developing real life skills for young toddlers to |
| oversized floor puzzles and eventually to the small | | | | giving older children something relaxing and |
| pieces of 500+ piece puzzles. This is a reflection | | | | enjoyable to do on a rainy afternoon, there are |
| of the gradual development of hand and eye | | | | obviously many reasons generations of parents |
| coordination. | | | | have purchased puzzles for their children! |
| Reasoning & Problem Solving Skills | | | | |