4 Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles For Your Child's Development

Children are naturally curious and always eager to do something new. As they begin exploring, it's on you to make sure what they're doing is primarily for their own benefit and development. You have the final say from cartoon series or movies they watch to the toys they play with. As such, you should use that power to draw them into doing things that are beneficial to them such as solving jigsaw puzzles. 

It’s believed that both adults and children have long been fascinated with jigsaw puzzles. They're not only a pastime that everybody enjoys but also a great way to build skills that can prove to be helpful in tackling other aspects of life. So, if your children are showing keen interest in puzzling, you're one lucky parent. The activity can bring about several benefits to your kids' development, particularly the following: 

1. May Help Improve The Child's Ability To Concentrate 

No one can argue children tend to have short attention spans. They can't seem to focus for too long on a specific task or activity because of several distractions they find around them. If you're struggling with such a predicament, you might want to try encouraging them more to solve jigsaw puzzles so they can improve their ability to concentrate.  

You can make sure the puzzles are colorful and interesting enough so they won't quickly lose engrossment. You can look online for jigsaw puzzles that are suitable for kids. Lucky for you, several companies sell custom jigsaw puzzles, such as Pixels. You can choose images or designs that you think will be interesting enough for your kids so they won't get easily disengaged when working on the puzzles.  

2. Enhanced Kids’ Spatial Awareness 

You may think that your child isn't big enough yet to understand what spatial awareness is. That may be the case, but in most instances, they don't need to realize that what they're doing is already activating their spatial skills. To them, they're simply playing and having a good time, which is a good thing.  

Solving jigsaw puzzles involves encouraging your child to understand how objects relate to one another, them, and you. Although it may seem that puzzles are just something they do to while away the time, the activity is already making them aware of perception, analysis, and identification of things. 

They can tell which piece fits one part, what color goes with another, and how to make the pieces fit so they can all form one big picture or image. By the time they're done solving the puzzles, it has significantly improved their special awareness and ability to perceive things. 

So, it's essential that you keep them interested in solving the puzzles. If you find that part a bit tricky, you can always look for the most unique and coolest puzzles that can spark an interest in them, regardless of their age.  

3. Can Teach Them Helpful Problem-Solving Skills 

Despite their age, kids still need to learn how to solve things on their own. Simple tasks such as knowing the right pair of shoes or slippers to wear are already enhancing their problem-solving skills. But then, if they're always watching television shows or playing with their handheld devices, they may not be able to practice this skill as often as they should. 

Puzzling can help them in becoming effective problem solvers. As the puzzle presents them with a problem, they're prompted to use their reasoning and organizational skills so they can come up with a solution to the problem. As they enjoy the activity, they're learning how to do things independently, solve their own problems, and have a great time while at it. 

4. Encourage Them To Socialize 

Although jigsaw puzzles can be solved on your own, there's no harm in making your kids do it with their siblings or friends. If you feel as if your child is slowly turning to social disassociation at a young age, you should do something about it and encourage them to socialize with others. Solving puzzles with the family can make them feel energized and comfortable working with others.  

Their social skills will significantly improve, and at the same time, puzzling also encourages them to collaborate and be a team player. As they grow older, you'll be glad to know they won't be alone most of the time and that they're capable of being friendly. 

Conclusion 

Children are still in the process of learning many things and developing different skills that they can use in the future. If you want to help with their development, you can consider engaging them in jigsaw puzzles. The activity can potentially encourage them to socialize and collaborate, teach them problem-solving skills, enhance their spatial awareness, and improve their ability to concentrate.