How Puzzle Helps in Child Development

How Puzzle Helps in Child Development

Puzzles are a popular and challenging activity for young children and adults alike. At any age, we are trying to solve and challenge ourselves to various kind of puzzles even since we were toddlers. Indeed, this activity is a part of early child development process. A favorite toy of educators and parents alike, puzzles are deceptively simple. All you have to do is put pieces together to make a whole. But despite their apparent simplicity, puzzles are a fantastic learning tool that teaches youngsters many essential life skills. What are they?

The 3 basics of puzzles do for child development

1. Physical skills : from holding puzzle pieces and fitting in

• Hand-Eye Coordination – playing with puzzles require children to make their eyes and hands work together like “guess and check” process to find the right piece.
• Fine Motor Skills - Jigsaw puzzles require that young ones make very precise movements in order to get the pieces to fit together.

2. Cognitive skills : when children solve the problems of a puzzle

• Shape Recognition – At first, children may understand shapes like circle, triangle and square. From there more complex shapes are used until the abstract jigsaw puzzles.
• Memory – Children rely heavily on their ability to remember which shapes work together to complete the picture. Nevertheless, they still need to remember the set aside pieces in relation to the rest of the puzzle. 

• Problem solving - Putting a jigsaw puzzle together presents a basic problem. The pieces are all mixed up, and must be organized and assembled. This creates a chance to learn problem solving skills.

3. Emotional skills : they learn patience and are rewarded when they complete the puzzle

• Setting goals - The first goal is to solve the puzzle; the next goal will be a series of strategies your child comes up with to solve the puzzle.
• Patience – Puzzles is not like any other sport; children need a lot of patience to focus on completing the pieces together and slowly work through the puzzle until it is done.

From fine motor, to problem solving, the advantages of puzzles for children’s development are numerous. This educational toy is obviously important for kids to learn physical, cognitive and emotional skills, which will support them later on in life as they grow up.

Wondering which puzzle to start with? Check out our collection for Junior Puzzle, especially designed for early education and child development process.