As teachers, we now understand that a child’s brain
development is influenced significantly when he or she manipulates the world
around them. Puzzles are a perfect tool to provide this vital opportunity. In
Puzzle Club, children learn to change the shape and appearance of their
environment when they work with puzzles. Puzzles also provide the opportunity
for children to develop their fine motor skills and eye to hand coordination.
Fine motor skills are a necessary component for handwriting and other skills
that require strong pincer grasps.
Puzzles also enable children to use logic when problem
solving. The piece of the puzzle either fits or it doesn’t. As children put the
pieces of a puzzle together, they develop strategies that enable them to become
faster and more efficient as they move on to more complicated puzzles. This
allows children to work towards smaller goals that ultimately empower them to
succeed with larger goals. Many modern games and toys provide instant
gratification which robs children of the ability to tolerate patience and
benefit from delayed gratification.
When a struggling student successfully completes a puzzle
independently, what a rewarding sense of accomplishment he or she experiences!
Seeing that triumphing smile and hearing that victory shout, "Look, I did
it!" is one of the many gifts I receive as a teacher!
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