Puzzles for the smallest

Puzzles are one of the best educational activities for children. From a very young age, with their help, one can form a child’s accuracy, perseverance, patience, logical and imaginative thinking. Despite the fact that many parents begin to acquaint the child with the game only after 3 years, folding pictures will benefit even the smallest children.

The use of puzzles for the development of a child up to 3 years

From the age of 6 months, begin to attract the attention of the baby to bright colorful pictures, consisting of several large parts. Of course, a baby at this age will not be able to fold it on her own, but she will be happy to watch how adults do it. During the game, he will get to know and remember different colors.

Already in a year, children with the help of their parents will be able to independently assemble the simplest puzzles, consisting of 2-3 parts. These should be images of familiar objects (cup, bun, machine). Drawing up a picture contributes to the formation of logical thinking and spatial orientation.

For example, you can download 4-piece puzzles here

After 18 months, children are actively developing fine motor skills of their fingers, and folding the puzzle will contribute to the process. You can add liner frames to traditional flat puzzles at this age. They are frames with holes in which parts of various shapes are inserted, for example, geometric shapes.

The sooner you open the wonderful world of puzzles for your child, the more likely it is that by the age of 3 he will be able to independently assemble a picture consisting of 24 elements.

How to choose puzzles

The size of the parts is paramount. In no case should you buy puzzles consisting of small fragments that the baby can put in his mouth. For the smallest, a puzzle mat is ideal, on which the baby will be happy to play.

No less important is the material from which they are made and the quality of workmanship. Paper elements should be made of thick cardboard, with smooth edges without rough joints. Wooden pieces of the puzzle must be selected well polished, without sharp corners. The safest are rubber puzzles with a printed pattern, which can be used even when bathing a baby. When buying a game with plastic parts, you should ask about the quality certificate for this product.

When choosing a game for children under 3 years old, you need to pay attention to the picture. It is desirable that it be contrasting with clear lines of color transition. The image must be positive.

How to teach your kid how to assemble puzzles

In order not to discourage the child from having a useful occupation, you should be patient and have time to collect images together.At first, you yourself have to repeatedly collect the picture in front of the crumbs, commenting on your actions.

Start with a pair of two-piece puzzles. With their help, the baby will learn to fold the lock and understand the meaning of the game. When this step is completed, you can increase the number of parts to four.

At the beginning, to simplify the process, remove two fragments from the collected picture and ask the baby to help you put them in place. If the baby does not cope with the task, give him the necessary details, which he will only fold. The main thing is that he takes part in the process.

As you acquire skills, the number of game parts increases, and their size decreases. At some point, a hitch may occur, with which you should also help your child cope. Put the picture together for the first time. Small children find it easier to navigate in form, not in image. Remembering the order of assembly, he will easily repeat the process on his own.

It is too early for children under 3 years old to explain what angular and boundary elements are. Therefore, it is easier to start the assembly with the largest fragment of the image. If several disparate objects are drawn in the picture, they can be assembled separately and then combined.

The right approach to learning will help the baby not only master the puzzle, but also instill a love of useful work.