Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much of this terminology is sales promotion and jargon, and how much is fact?
As an educator for many years, I can say with authority, that there is educational value in all types of jigsaw puzzles. The skills acquired and practiced in completing jigsaw puzzles are a foundational part of successful learning. Doing jigsaw puzzles develops several functions of the brain simultaneously as a child has fun and also learns. Most notably developed in this learning process are the abilities to reason, deduce, analyze, sequence, and develop logical thought and problem solving skills. Physically, eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness are also required to complete a jigsaw puzzle.
Putting these benefits aside, I want to look particularly at the jigsaw puzzles that are labeled "Educational". These puzzles are designed to teach a specific learning objective. Some examples of these might be a jigsaw puzzle map of the world, or of the solar system. The manufacturers claim that such puzzles will teach a child those specific facts. What educational value in reality do these types of puzzles contain?
Firstly the degree of the educational value of these types of puzzles is dependant on how the puzzles are used in the learning process. For example, let us suppose that the learning objective is to learn about the geography of the United States of America, specifically the position of the individual states. You buy a puzzle picturing all the states and their position in the country, and give it to the child to do. Will the child ace a test on the States? Probably not! I'm sure that some learning will take place, but it will be limited and a few weeks later very little of the learning would be retained. To the child the learning process of doing that puzzle would be similar to any jigsaw puzzle that they do. Their focus on the states and where they fit is limited to the process of completing the puzzle.
In order to maximize the educational value of a jigsaw puzzle, it needs to part of the learning process, but not all of it.
Children have different styles of learning and an advantage of a jigsaw puzzle is that it does involve using more than one type of learning aptitude in the process of completing it. The most obvious learning style for a puzzle is the visual. In doing a puzzle of the USA the child will see the overall shape and also how the various states fit together to complete the whole. Jigsaw puzzles involve both the global (big picture) and analytic (details) aspects of learning. Puzzles are also good for the kinesthetic tendencies of learners. Kinesthetic learners learn best by practical hands on activities. For those with a auditory preference in learning, conversation about the learning and the correlations in the puzzle combined with the overall learning objectives, needs to happen at the same time as the puzzle is being done.
However the greatest educational benefit comes when the jigsaw puzzle is done as part of the overall learning objective. A jigsaw puzzle can be used to introduce a new subject as well as reinforce learning that has already occurred. The educational value increases to the extent that the subject of the puzzle is meaningful to the knowledge the child already has. To the degree that the child can correlate his prior knowledge with the puzzle experience, the more educational value is gained.
The jigsaw puzzle can also create new learning experiences. These experiences can then be developed in many other ways for an overall learning experience. For example, in doing a puzzle on American Geography, famous landmarks located on the puzzle could then be looked up and researched in books or on the Internet. Stories can be read or told about historical events that occurred. The actual size of an American state could be explored by working out how long it would take to travel across by car or train. The learning possibilities are endless.
Some educational puzzles such as 'Faces and Places' and 'The Map of the Solar System' ,produced by the Great American Puzzle Company come accompanied by a guide book that can be used to get the maximum educational benefit and value from the jigsaw puzzles.
In conclusion, it can be said that all jigsaw puzzles have educational value to some extent. The puzzles that are advertised as 'educational' can be of great educational value if introduced, not in isolation, but as part of a specific learning goal that has both relevance and purpose for the child.
Any time spent doing a jigsaw puzzle with your child will make it a more meaningful and memorable experience. Don't just give your child a present of a jigsaw puzzle-instead give your child an educational experience and a memory that will last a lifetime.
Barbara White, of beyond better development, has over twenty years experience as a parent, teacher and Principal. The jigsaw puzzles referred to in this article can be purchased at beyond better development
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More
The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate... Read More
"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Managing money is one of the most critical skills we... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More
There are a LOT of alternative treatments for sale out... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent or teacher more... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More
Looking back through my files I've come across several great... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
It is hard to believe that summer is coming to... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
I love Google and Yahoo. With Google and Yahoo I... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
It may seem obvious to many people why literacy is... Read More
Arabella Greatorex, owner of The Natural Nursery, reports on the... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer... Read More
Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
If you spend any time in the parenting section of... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
Parenting |