Jigsaw puzzles have been a long-time favorite learning toy. Parents often appreciate the value of puzzles and their importance in enhancing a child's basic educational skills. By putting together a puzzle, a child's hand-to-eye coordination skills are sharpened as each piece is worked to "magically" fit into its proper space with its distinctive shape or form. Puzzles encourage cognitive development like memory, problem solving and decision-making skills. When shared with others, puzzles promote social interaction thereby helping develop a child's social skills. The educational value of a puzzle doesn't stop with basic educational skills, puzzles also teach life skills such as patience, persistence and self-worth, for example. The attitude with which a child completes a puzzle will be a small indication and reflection as to how they can and will relate to life as they mature.
PATIENCE: Puzzles teach patience. As defined in the Encarta Dictionary: "Patience is the ability to wait without being upset or angry and to stay calm in the face of difficulties." The concept of waiting is difficult for a child. With a puzzle as an example, we can handle our children the importance of patience, every piece in place, sometimes easily, sometimes by trial and error. When his patience is exercised, you will begin to understand that with every little 'patience and he will eventually adaptachieve the desired result thereby realizing his reward in the end. Life (and puzzles) does not provide the instant satisfaction of "I want it now, I have to have it now" as understood in a child's world. The reward is the end result of delayed gratification. As adults we become aware of the benefits of working toward a goal. We learn that ethic and achieve that goal with time, hard work and persistence. As a result we achieve the satisfaction of accomplishment which becomes a reward within itself. Teach your child to compare the puzzle to life - how many times do things not make sense when we don't have all the facts (pieces)? We learn through patience that each piece contributes to the entire picture offering its own contribution or variable aspect to the whole. Puzzles help provide children with a better understanding that unless you have all the facts (puzzle pieces) organized, sorted out and put together you will not be able to see the puzzle to its completion To see the whole picture.
Persistence: a different life skills children learn the puzzle is the persistence. This means that a permanent or persistent problems continue despite difficulties or obstacles. It 'difficult for children to make progress in the face of obstacles. Sometimes these obstacles can hinder a child's self-esteem and value that has to give life itself. promoted the example of a puzzle and adults, children learn that obstacles should not havenegative impact on a job or life. Children learn with perseverance to achieve goals and make up to support projects in order to reap their reward, and eventually you'll see the whole picture. With a puzzle, you can teach your child to take the time to think about color, form and manner in which the module refers to a room, and how each piece can be placed in the correct position by trial and error. With logical thinking and problem solving skills, ask your child to tell how the pieces of the puzzlethe entire picture. Ask questions like, "Where do you think this piece should go?" Or encourage your child's persistence by saying; "I like how you keep trying." Let your child know that with persistence most anything in life is within reach. With the proper perspective children will be able to ultimately solve their problems (or complete their puzzle).
VALUE/WORTH: Puzzles help make children realize that the meaning of the picture is unclear with one piece of the puzzle, just as one person in life gains more value as he/she interacts with other people. One person alone (one isolated puzzle piece) has significance relative to his/herself (e.g. self-concept), but a connection or relationship with one or more other pieces an entire picture is created; and in life a sense of self worth is enhanced. We are unique in our own individual way. By ourselves we can have significant impact but through collaborated efforts life can take on a fuller meaning. What do you do with one piece of the puzzle? What value or worth does it have? Help your child understand some things don't make sense on their own but in combination with other pieces a new concept can be realized.
Puzzles help teach children to stretch their imagination. With persistence and perseverance their joy and reward will be inevitable, not only in the completion of their puzzle, but in life. Puzzles are an extremely valuable educational toy when worked independently, but can take on a whole new meaning when guided by a "teacher" who teaches how each piece relates to another puzzle piece, by its size, shape and color. Just as a single puzzle piece, children can learn how their individual contribution to life brings its own reward, just as each piece in the puzzle creates the entire picture.
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