| Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent source of educational | | | | gained from puzzle activities. Firstly hand-eye |
| value for children of all ages. This is because to | | | | co-ordination is necessary to manipulate the piece into |
| complete a jigsaw involves the child using several | | | | the correct position. To fit the piece exactly involves |
| different aspects of the thinking process. This article | | | | observing the shape of the hole as well as the shape |
| will explain how you can use puzzles with very young | | | | of the puzzle piece. At first a young child deals with |
| children to accelerate their learning development. | | | | the problem by trial and error and sometimes force. |
| An infant initially learns to recognize objects by their | | | | The guidance and example of a parent begins to |
| shape and not necessarily what position the object is | | | | solidify the process. The youngster starts to develop |
| in. A chair is a chair whether it is upside down, upright | | | | spatial awareness and mental manipulation as well as |
| or lying on it's side it doesn't matter. The simple puzzles | | | | increasing physical dexterity. Skill and ability develops |
| produced for young children help to develop more | | | | as the child learns to place the piece in correctly and |
| refined recognition and definition skills. | | | | internalization of the process occurs. Such skills are |
| There are valuable learning experiences that can be | | | | foundational for reading. |