To put a bunch of clueless pieces together into a beautiful pattern is indeed a job that requires keen observation and considerable endurance, and it is a very good exercise for the baby’s thinking ability. Some people say that jigsaw puzzles are vitamins for the mind.
So parents are concerned about when their baby can start playing jigsaw puzzles, and how to instruct them to play jigsaw puzzles?
Generally speaking, babies around the age of 2 or 3 have a certain understanding of the concept of graphics, and also have certain operating skills. It’s time to start teaching your baby how to play jigsaw puzzles. However, it should be noted that when choosing a puzzle for a baby of this age, be sure to choose a simple pattern, larger pieces, fewer numbers, and a harder texture. Otherwise, if you let the baby know too much, the baby will soon lose interest. It is best to choose a cartoon character that your baby is familiar with or a favorite vehicle, such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and a car.
When the baby plays the puzzle for the first time, there must be an adult’s guidance, because the baby is young, has weak observation and analysis ability, and does not have much patience. Dad or mom should remind the baby how to observe the pattern features, which can help the baby to turn the block into a suitable angle, so that the baby can easily find the relationship, and even hand the correct block to the baby if the baby is willing.
Encourage the baby to be patient and careful, and parents themselves should be patient with the baby’s mistakes in the puzzle process. Don’t be impatient, let alone say things like “you’re stupid”, which will damage your baby’s self-confidence. If the baby can’t complete the whole puzzle in a while, parents should help to complete the rest, set an example for the baby, teach the baby to have a beginning and an end in doing things, not to give up halfway, and let the baby enjoy the fun of success. This will give your baby the confidence and interest to take on more difficult puzzles.
With the growth of the baby’s age, if you find that the baby’s puzzle ability has improved, you can choose a slightly more difficult puzzle toy for the baby to play. After a long time, the baby’s observation ability, analysis ability, hands-on operation ability, and graphic perception ability will have considerable development and improvement. Cultivating the baby’s patient and meticulous character is very beneficial to the development of the baby’s intelligence and emotional intelligence.
