National Puzzle Day

From childhood to adulthood, people love to play puzzles. They like how it challenges their thinking as well as exercise their minds. January is considered national puzzle month while the 29th of January is National Puzzle Day. Regardless of the month or day, puzzles can be fun for kids anytime of the year.

Research shows that consistent puzzle play can offer significant enjoyment and a lot of benefits to brain development. So, what makes puzzles good for your kids?

LEFT AND RIGHT BRAIN POWER

The brain is known to be divided into left and right hemispheres. The left side is responsible for problem-solving, language, math, science, and logic while the right side takes over the creative, social, intuition, and visual arts skills. Puzzles like math puzzles or jigsaw can help your kids utilize both sides of the brain.

Using both sides of the brain is possible with the help of puzzles because these materials offer a vast range of topics and themes, including shapes, letters, numbers, and colors. It can help your kids develop a deeper understanding and visual awareness of particular issues and themes. Also, it enhances your kid’s problem-solving skills because they are challenged to think and create strategies on how they are going to solve the given puzzles.

IMPROVES MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION

Puzzles are amazing learning materials for kids when it comes to improving their memory. This is because kids have to remember various shapes of pieces that do not fit on the certain area which will fit later the others as they are about to finish them. Also, it can help them develop their concentration through their motivation to solve the puzzle.

IMPROVES SPATIAL THINKING SKILLS

Jigsaws and math puzzles help kids to have better spatial thinking skills. By doing jigsaws, kids are involved in moving and rotating pieces a lot. Also, it helps them imagine or visualize the missing shapes or images.

A BREAK FROM DIGITAL DEVICES

One of the reasons why some kids lack focus may be because they are being distracted by digital devices. In solving this, puzzles can be a fun alternative way to let your kids take a break from digital games and technology where all they have to do is to concentrate on solving math puzzles and jigsaws.

DO’S IN PICKING A PUZZLE

When selecting a good puzzle for your kids, it does not have to be word search or crossword. It is better to pick brain teasers or problem-solving games like sudoku. This type of puzzle can help your child promote critical thinking skills while keeping fun and simplicity.

DON’TS IN PICKING A PUZZLE

Puzzle options can be challenging but not frustrating for your kids. Jigsaws puzzles are ideal options. These can be completed under 20 minutes while longer 1000+ piece jigsaws are perfect during summer time.

Puzzles are great learning materials that can be played solo or with partners. To get the best puzzle options for your kids, you can see how our puzzles help your kids make their time more valuable and productive.

Do you have a favorite puzzle? Try these Tangrams.

Why Puzzles are Good for Kids