Jigsaw puzzles are an absolute staple of our childhood. Piecing together a dinosaur, fire engine or fairy tea party on a rainy day, likely holds great memories for most of us - even when you lost a few pieces so the dinosaur ended up having one leg.
As well as creating lovely childhood memories, jigsaw puzzles are also a great option for learning and child development.
Here’s five reasons why jigsaw puzzles are good for you
Jigsaw puzzles are brilliant for problem solving as they make you focus on critical thinking. First of all, you pick up a puzzle piece and categorise it by colour, pattern or design. You then start to look at the shape of the piece and picture whether it might fit here, or turn it upside down and connect it there. We’re using patterns and logic to crack the code.
Once we’ve worked out where the puzzle piece might fit, physically picking it up and placing it in the correct space is an excellent way to develop fine motor skills and dexterity. Our brain sends signals to our fingers and we use flex and grip techniques to pick up the pieces - a big milestone for young children.
The hour before your child goes to bed is one that should be calm and fully screen free. Jigsaw puzzles are a fun and relaxing way to wind down the day before heading upstairs for bath, book and bed in a calm frame of mind.
Completing a jigsaw puzzle helps you focus and builds concentration skills as they take time to see the end result. Going through the processes of problem solving and physically building your puzzle helps to show the light at the end of the tunnel and you become focused and engaged on the journey to seeing the final design.
When piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, our brains relax and go into a dreamlike state, taking us from an active Beta to a relaxed, subconscious Alpha place. This state of mind puts us at ease and helps to take any stress that we may be feeling away.
So, if you’re looking for a birthday gift for a child, think about buying a jigsaw. They aren’t just for rainy days, they are good for you too!