Puzzles have been captivating young minds for generations, offering more than just entertainment. They are a powerful tool for nurturing young minds. From enhancing cognitive skills to promoting emotional and social development, puzzles play an important role in a child’s growth. They are also a great way to create a fun learning opportunity for children.
Here are some key advantages of incorporating puzzles into a child’s playtime:
Cognitive Development:
1. Problem-Solving Skills:
- Puzzles require children to analyse and solve problems, enhancing their critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
2. Spatial Awareness:
- Completing puzzles helps children develop spatial awareness as they must understand how different puzzle pieces fit together.
3. Fine Motor Skills:
- Manipulating puzzles pieces fosters the development of fine motor skills, improving children’s hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
4. Memory:
- Playing with puzzles can improve memory and concentration, as children will need to remember the piece placements and recognise patterns.
5. Pattern Recognition:
- Recognising patterns in puzzles can enhance a child’s ability to think creatively in other areas of life. While playing, children will be encouraged to look at pictures more carefully, going over them from top to bottom and from left to right. By doing this, children will notice visual similarities and differences.
Patience and Persistence
Completing puzzles can be a challenging task, and will teach children the value of persistence and the rewards of not giving up when faced with difficult challenges.
Puzzles also require patience as children work toward a goal, which can help them understand concept of delayed gratification.
Emotional Benefits
Puzzles can help build a child’s confidence and self-esteem, as successfully completing puzzles can give children a sense of accomplishment.
Playing with puzzle can also be a calming and stress-relieving activity, helping children manage their emotions.
Reduced Screen Time
Puzzles are excellent alternative to screen time, and provide opportunities for children to play together and interact with their siblings, peers or parents.
From playing with other children, they will also learn to take turns, fostering social etiquette and fairness.
In conclusion, puzzles are not just enjoyable pastimes, they are valuable tools for children’s holistic development. Encourage your child with puzzle play from an early age to set the stage for a lifetime of learning and problem-solving!
Here are some examples of puzzles suitable for different ages:
Puzzles from 10-12mths old :
Farm Animal Large Peg Puzzle - 10 mths +
Chunky Puzzle -Transportation -12 mths+
Puzzles for Toddlers (1- 3 years+) :
Multi-shape Sorter -2yrs +
First puzzle- Dinosaur Jigsaw Puzzle- 2 yrs +
Puzzles for Pre-schoolers ( 3-6yrs+ ) :
Construction Site Jigsaw Puzzle 24 pcs - 3 yrs +
Dinosaur Jigsaw Floor Puzzle 40 pcs - 3yrs+
Rainforest Jigsaw Puzzles 72 pcs - 3yrs+
Puzzles for Early Primary. (6-9yrs+):
Puzzles for Late Primary (9-12yrs+) :
World Map Jigsaw Puzzle 500 pcs
At Prodigy Kids Shop, we have a range of puzzles suitable for children starting from infants as young as 10 mths old to 12yrs+. Browse more of our selection of puzzles at Prodigy Kids Shop.
Children's safety are our priority, therefore all our wooden puzzles for infants and children under 3 years old are sourced from reputable suppliers in Australia. They are made from plantation timbers and painted in non-toxic paint ,and tested to meet the Australian Toy Regulations for Child Safety.