Jigsaw puzzles, Polar Express games, and similar interactive learning games are very useful to young kids and grownups as well. In this article, the benefits of Polar Express games and other puzzles have been discussed at length. After reading, make sure that your kids get big jigsaw puzzles this summer.
1. Hand-Eye Coordination
Have you noticed that your kid has bad hand-eye coordination? Easy puzzles could be the solution that you have been looking for. Studies have shown that puzzles help kids learn hand-eye coordination when they turn, remove, and flip pieces. The eyes see the puzzle. The brain configures how the puzzle needs to look. Then, communication is sent to the hands to configure the puzzle with the guidance of the eyes. The eyes will guide the hands until the Polar Express game or puzzle has been configured properly.
2. Improve Fine Motor Skills
Playing Polar Express games with your kids helps in improving their motor skills, which are needed for small, precise movements. Many parents confuse motor skills with hand-eye movement, which is a mistake. Motor skills represent very timely and small movements of the hands and the eyes as well. If you play Polar Express games regularly with your child, he or she will be able to improve their motor skills while trying to flip the puzzle pieces. Motor skills are essential in improving kid's handwriting.
3. Improved Gross Motor Skills
Unlike fine motor skills, gross motor skills involve movements of larger parts of the body such as hands, legs, and even the head. Is your kid still struggling to walk? Get some stacking blocks and other big jigsaw puzzles. Large and easily manipulated puzzles challenge kids to make some relatively small steps and finally walk with ease.
4. Problem Solving Skills
Problem-solving is a valuable skill for kids. Playing sports puzzles helps them to make critical decisions about the appearance of the puzzle and how it can be manipulated to have a definite shape. Puzzles cannot be solved by cheating, and your kids won't have any other option other than to think critically and come up with the solution. This helps them to think critically and get the most honest answer.
5. Shape Recognition
Young children need to know more about different shapes and their differentiating features. However, the brain of young children is only at the development stage, which means that it is very difficult for them to read and understand shapes. However, trying to solve tough puzzles gives them a hint of how different shapes look like and how they should be assembled. As a mother, you'll be very happy if your kids can easily understand the difference between rectangles and squares on their first day in school.
6. Setting Small Goals
Playing Polar Express games with your little ones helps them to understand the art of goal making and also to start making small goals. As your little one tries to solve a puzzle, they will come up with a strategy of doing it efficiently and within a short period. Some kids will start with edges and others may start with specific colors. Selecting what to start with and completing that before moving to the next stage has everything to do with understanding goals and making small objectives towards achieving that main goal.
Dissection of a square is the oldest known puzzle and was mentioned by Archimedes around 250BC. Therefore, puzzles have been around for many centuries and have been pivotal in education. Engage your kids in solving puzzles and you will help them today and in future.