Kids love family game nights, puzzles, Disney jigsaws, and almost anything creative. Did you know – your child is also growing their mind while they play?
Technology tends to draw children away from these brain-stimulating activities. Still, this article will explain why you should put away the iPads this Friday night and clear the table for some fantastic fun.
Simultaneous exercise for your child’s brain
The left brain is responsible for logical and linear thinking, whereas the right brain is more creative and intuitive. Neurotransmitters are firing all over the place when a child solves a puzzle. This means that your child’s brain is “working out,” so to speak. Something as simple as playing a game counts as a mental exercise, and your child will benefit greatly. Here’s how:
Puzzles lower stress-levels
Solving puzzles, whether word search, sudoku, or jigsaw, calms the mind and will help lower your child’s stress levels. It is no different than meditating and lowers blood pressure and heart rate as well.
Puzzles improve memory
It’s no wonder puzzle-solving improves a child’s memory. Children participating in these activities have to use their memory to identify pieces and put them in the correct place.
Puzzles develop fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are different than gross motor skills (walking, etc..) and are necessary for writing and other small movements. Puzzles are a great way to improve your child’s fine motor skills and prepare them for upcoming achievements.
Puzzles refine spatial reasoning abilities
To put together a jigsaw, each piece must be evaluated and then arranged in a logical sequence. As a result, the ability to operate everyday household items, read stories, and even imitate dancing steps is enhanced on a broad scale. Yes, a little bit of puzzle expertise and prowess is needed to fix those poorly planned dancing steps.
Puzzles reduce the danger of neurological disorders
According to a study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, a higher level of mental stimulation was linked to a lower likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The condition is caused by a decreased protein level that builds up and causes it. One of our most vital organs is shown to benefit from this activity in the short and long term.
The do’s when selecting puzzles for your children
Always go with what is age-appropriate for your child. A quick rule for jigsaws would be to go with jumbo-size pieces so that they’re easy to solve and easy to handle. Basically, the younger your child, the bigger the pieces should be. A two-year-old can solve a puzzle of 5-16 pieces, and by four, a child can handle puzzles up to 48 pieces. You can also choose foam and wood puzzles for younger children.
Word search and sudoku can be played once your child is around 4+ years.
The don’ts when selecting puzzles for your children
When your child is between the ages of 0-2, you want to make sure to keep puzzle pieces big so that they don’t pose a choking hazard. There are plenty of jumbo puzzles on the market today to choose from. Small pieces will also be hard for your child to handle and can be too overwhelming for them.
Never give a child a puzzle that is too advanced for their age as this will frustrate them and discourage them from easier puzzles.
Puzzles are something kids love which is why it’s such a powerful sneaky tool to develop your child’s brain whie their not even aware of it. These classic and lovable activities can be started as soon as your child is able to sit up and can be enjoyed life-long. Starting your child on puzzles will help them to problem-solve, socilize, improve their vocabilary, among many other benefits. So keep your child’s mind stimulated and watch them learn and grow – while they have a blast!