When we think of wooden puzzles, we usually think of a hobby, a way to pass the time and relax. In fact, in addition to having fun for a while, they have many health benefits. From helping children develop their skills, to improving your memory and mood, to preventing serious illnesses in the elderly.
In this article you will find the surprising advantages of wooden puzzles depending on age but also the different types of wooden puzzles available to us:
- What are the benefits of the wooden puzzle for adults?
- A real educational game for children
- The wooden puzzle is also suitable for babies
- Keeps seniors’ brains active
- Wooden animal puzzles, stunning designs
Puzzles are often considered as simple games or even toys by adults who think they are “older”. We will see in this article that the benefits of this reflection and memory game are multiple, real and also concern adults as much as children or even babies.
(@Canva / Puzzle mind)
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE WOODEN PUZZLE FOR ADULTS?
Yes, adults can still learn (personal development) and the wooden puzzle is a perfect activity for this with different levels of difficulty depending on the number of pieces.
âś” An effective mental exercise:
Making puzzles is a real complete brain exercise by working both sides of the brain. Their reflection and creativity are therefore called upon, which is rarely the case with a multitude of other activities.
âś” Greater sensitivity to details:
Puzzles or tangram for adults are generally more difficult, smaller and made up of many more pieces. With a wide variety of shapes, colors and designs, the eye adapts more and more to small details.
âś” Maintains short-term memory:
Practicing the wooden puzzle or tangram strengthens neural connections and increases the generation of new connections. Looking for another piece of the same color and with a similar pattern to the one you already have, among a hundred other pieces, significantly works on short-term memory. Your concentration over a long period of time will also improve.
(@Canva / Puzzle and brain game for adults)
âś” Real teamwork:
Whether to finish it more quickly or simply to have a good time with family, the puzzle encourages communication and exchange. Between work colleagues or family, a moment around a puzzle quickly becomes convivial.
âś” Smiles and fun:
Solving riddles, puzzles or tangrams increases brain production of dopamine. This neurotransmitter is the basis of mood regulation and optimism. Dopamine is released every time we do a puzzle and even every time we put a piece in the right place.
Parents, this activity is as good for you as it is for your children, so set aside a few minutes a week to do yourself and your family some good.
đź’° The price of a quality large wooden puzzle can vary between 25Đ„ and 80Đ„ depending on the number of pieces but it will be a unique purchase for many years and long moments of happiness.
A PERFECT EDUCATIONAL GAME FOR CHILDREN
Just like for adults, puzzles, especially wooden ones, provide many educational benefits for children. Just like construction games, the puzzle helps develop spatial skills which play an important role in understanding science and technology. Growing children can benefit from the benefits of these puzzle games, always adapting the size of the pieces and the difficulty to their age. It is also for this reason that the Montessori educational method places great emphasis on this type of activity. Here is some of those benefits:
âś” Cognitive benefits - Puzzles help develop perception, organization and concentration are put to the test when solving a wooden puzzle or tangram.
(@Canva / Tangram for children)
âś” Improved motor skills - Fine and gross motor skills will be worked on through the controlled use of the hand (fine grip), the eye and the brain. This work on "reflex" gestures is in line with Montessori pedagogy (natural development of the child)
âś” An emotional aspect - We saw this previously for adults and the secretion of dopamine. In children the development of patience, control and self-confidence. The wooden puzzle turns out to be an important task and a real challenge for the child. When it is completed, the child feels pride and a need for recognition from his parents for the task he has just accomplished.
âś” Fight against hyperactivity - Children tend to be either more and more hyperactive or more and more passive with the phenomenon of screens. These assembly toys are wonderful concentration regulators. Do you dream of seeing your child active but calm and focused for long periods of time? Here is the solution.
(@Canva / Wooden alphabet puzzle)
As we mentioned, this activity is one of the flagship elements of the Montessori teaching method for all these reasons. Puzzles and tangrams are one of the most popular and effective educational games.
Find our detailed article on all the advantages of this activity for our dear children here: WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES FOR CHILDREN?
đź’° We can find this educational game at all prices, so take care of your child's safety but also their level before thinking about price.
WOODEN PUZZLES SUITABLE FOR BABY
We all know that before the age of 2 years baby has particular needs for the beginning of personal development, also called awakening! This is why certain activities or toys are not at all suitable for him. Inconceivable to give your baby a 200 piece puzzle just like a tangram, right?! However, toddlers can also benefit from certain advantages of this activity, notably thanks to the wooden pieces.
(@The Smart Child / baby assembly toy)
Specific puzzles are necessary for baby; they are called assembly toy. Indeed at this age the main and most effective activity will be to assemble, to recognize shapes and colors as well as to associate them if possible. With this in mind, wooden toys for assembling shapes, numbers and characters are the most effective.
âś” Single then multiple shapes - Many babies can begin to grasp objects around three or four months of age and, therefore, a simple, single-shaped puzzle is a great way to stimulate those problem-solving skills. Then as the weeks go by, increase pieces from 1 to 3 or even 4 pieces maximum up to 1 year. The main goal here is gripping the pieces, colors or images. Your child will probably put the pieces in his mouth more than on their holder, so be sure to choose large, neat wooden pieces.
(@ Canva / Puzzle for awakening)
✔ Matching two pieces - “Whose tail is this?” Great introduction to puzzles and the animal kingdom.
PHOTO = https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-puzzles-for-toddlers
✔ stacking toys where baby begins to understand the principle of putting one on top of the other. Also introduces the concept of cause and effect with falling pieces to his delight.
(@The Smart Child / Puzzle collection for children)
Well chosen and preferably made of wood, neat and colorful, this educational toy will help baby on the path to playful learning.
đź’° Choose sets of 3 or 4 puzzles, the prices of which are generally more advantageous.
KEEP SENIORS’ BRAINS ACTIVE
Keeping your brain active can delay symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease for seniors. Medical studies show that keeping the mind active through puzzles, tangram and other problem-solving activities can reduce the amount of damage done to the brain cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
As we saw previously, this puzzle activity also promotes the growth of new nerve cells and strengthens the connections between them. Which is essential when an adult gets older.
Researchers have also linked the number of years a person has solved puzzles to the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The sooner you start incorporating puzzles into your life, the better. It's never too late to start protecting your brain. As an adult first and then as a senior, this can also allow you to spend quality time with your grandchildren.
(@ Canva / Senio and brain activity)
WOODEN ANIMAL PUZZLES, STUNNING DESIGNS
FOR TOTTY LITTLES
Puzzle from one piece to a few pieces, bringing together colors and shapes wooden assembly games are very popular with babies. Representations of animals are very useful at this age for a first discovery of the animal world.
(@ L’Enfant Malin / Children’s puzzle collection)
Advice = Opt for familiar animals. It will be easier and reassuring for the child to play with the parts of an animal he knows, even if it doesn't seem very original to you
FOR 3-10 year olds
From the age of 3, children become aware of the concept of problem solving and it will be even more important to give them a puzzle at their level. The 9-piece wooden animal puzzles (see below) are a great start for 3-5 year olds before trying larger puzzles.
(@ L'Enfant Malin / Wooden animal puzzle for children)
Advice = First take a photo of the animal so that your little one is a model. You can then increase the difficulty, his concentration and his imagination by asking him to do it by himself and from memory!
FOR 10 YEARS AND OVER
After the age of â10 years and for children entering adolescence, representations of the cow, the rabbit or the wolf in a childish way no longer have an effect! On the other hand, the same animals but with much more in-depth and detailed representations will prove very attractive to them. It is therefore essential to choose your puzzle carefully according to ages. Consult this article " what size puzzle for what age "
Advice = It is from this age that you can really practice and even learn with your child around a superb turtle puzzle of 500 coins!
In conclusion, given all these benefits and advantages for all ages (children and adults) it is easy to say that the puzzle is a perfect gift for any occasion. Much more than a simple toy, it is part of Montessori learning from baby's awakening to the development of the intellectual skills of children and even adults. For children, the wooden puzzle is a very efficient educational game.
We hope that this article has been able to tell you a little more about this educational game and guide you in your choice. L'Enfant Malin offers a wide variety of wooden puzzles for children as well as adults.Stimulate your neurons as well as those of the children around you.
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