Melissa and Doug Jigsaw Puzzle

Studies show all young children rely heavily on touching and experiencing the action and reaction of what they do. This type of learning by touching is also known as tactile or kinesthetic learning.  It is only as kids get older that they begin to rely more on other types of learning such as hearing (auditory) or seeing (visual).

Even though as children get older, they develop their own style of learning, all children begin to understand the world around them by actively participating in activities that require their input. Given the importance of kinesthetic learning, it is important to provide young kids with toys and materials they can get their hands on as a way of enhancing learning. While there are a variety of different educational toys that can be used to promote kinesthetic learning, one of the most popular is jigsaw puzzles.

When most of us think of jigsaw puzzles, we think of them as limited to older kids. However, there is a wide range of jigsaw puzzles available, including ones with large chunky pieces specially designed for infants and toddlers. Companies like Melissa & Doug have made it their mission to design puzzles for very young children.

While jigsaw puzzles promote kinesthetic learning, they also go beyond that to promote other types of learning. Jigsaw puzzles require children to use all of their senses. By touching, kids learn to place pieces in their respective place within the big puzzle picture. When they are incorrect, they develop and use their problem solving and reasoning skills and try again until they get it right. Visually, children see which pieces go together based on similarity or by color matching. Audibly, they are able to hear the pieces snapping together in place for confirmation.

Parents can assist by being proactive. They can set an early format for continued learning. They can start by providing jigsaw puzzles for their children and ensuring they have time to play and experience the action of completing a puzzle for a job well done.

Start with puzzles that are not complicated in structure, but are recognizable by small children. Depictions of farm animals or household pets or small house structures are good beginning options because these objects are easily identifiable by small children ages 3 and up. For older kids, more challenging jigsaw puzzles are available which are appropriate for teenagers and up through adult ages.

It is important to look at the quantity of jigsaw puzzle pieces when selecting age appropriateness. Too many pieces can be frustrating for the toddler, while too little may be non-challenging for the teenager. An excellent starting puzzle for children is the "Beginning Skills Floor Puzzle" from Melissa & Doug. The set contains 4 puzzles with 12 pieces each. Each one has a different learning theme of colors, shapes, ABC's or numbers.

Jigsaw puzzles also provide a way for children to learn patience, persistence, and self-confidence, which are all important qualities needed for stable mental growth. They learn they will make mistakes and its okay to keep trying until the task is complete. The foundation is set for them to take this life lesson along with them throughout adulthood.

Since all children first learn kinesthetically, jigsaw puzzles are appropriate educational toys for them. As children grow, they eventually develop their own style of learning either audibly, visually or kinesthetically. Parents can foster the natural tactile style of learning early on by ensuring play time involves appropriate jigsaw puzzle such as those manufactured by Melissa & Doug, as well as others brands. These puzzles should reflect easily recognizable pictures understood by their children so they can complete them somewhat easily at first to evoke a sense of accomplishment. If this happens in their formative years, parents have helped provide the best foundation for their children's lifelong learning.