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Jigsaw puzzles provide a unique learning tool for children by providing them with manipulation and coordination skills. They are educational, fun, and instill a sense of accomplishment in children. Additionally, they help children develop reasoning skills and use deductive thinking while being challenged to complete the puzzle. First developed around 1760 by John Spilsbury as a geography aid for British children, jigsaw puzzles quickly became popular in the educational field. It wasn't until around 1880 that puzzles became a leisurely pastime. Children learn through playing. The process of putting a puzzle together helps develop a child's fine motor skills. As a child's eyes follow the movement from puzzle piece to board, he develops hand-eye coordination which helps with many other activities. But the benefits of jigsaw puzzles go far beyond physical skills. Kids learn persistence and patience as they have to stay with the task all they way through to completion. They develop social skills as they collaborate together, especially when it comes to assembling a puzzle of 100 or more pieces. Concentration and reasoning skills are also used. A child can work the same puzzle several times, increasing the speed of completion with each assembly. This activity helps improve memory skills. Jigsaw puzzles are available from a variety of brands including Melissa & Doug, Ravensburger and White Mountain. Melissa & Doug made it their mission to provide educational puzzles. They offer puzzles for all ages but the majority of their products are designed for toddlers and preschool kids. The garage of Doug's parent's home became the first office in 1988. In 1991, they introduced the Fuzzy Farm puzzle, their first creation. Melissa & Doug even offers jigsaw puzzles for infants where they assemble simple objects like a three-piece car set. Their preschool puzzles include a popular United States map puzzle. These puzzles are specially designed to teach colors, counting, alphabet, sorting, and geography, which are all important skills needed to prepare them for starting school. Ravensburger and White Mountain have some amazing designs for older kids. While we usually think of jigsaw puzzles in the traditional format of pieces on a board, there are other forms and features that further enhance the educational benefits. Puzzles that make sounds can teach a child about musical instruments, farm animals, cars, emergency vehicles and trains. When the puzzle is completed correctly, a sound corresponding to the puzzle will be played, delighting the youngest child with life-like sounds. The key to success with jigsaw puzzles is to provide kids with ones that are appropriate for their age and skill level. Very young kids should get started using puzzles that are specially designed for them by Melissa & Doug. These puzzles can be passed down to younger siblings and later generations because they are made of chunky wooden pieces which are designed to last. As
Slide 2: kids get older, they can move on to puzzles with more pieces and more detailed designs. For children ages twelve and up, they need greater challenges that come from puzzles of 500 or more pieces.
Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about Melissa and Doug. Click here to download our free jigsaw puzzles guidebook filled with helpful tips, ideas and information.
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