Did you know that puzzles are a great way to develop speech and language skills?
Monday, July 25, 2024
Did you know that puzzles are a great way to develop speech and language skills?
Here are 3 tips for choosing a puzzle:
Choose an age-appropriate number of pieces. The puzzle should be challenging for your child, but it shouldn’t seem unmanageable. My almost two-year-old likes 8-10 pieces.
Pick pieces that your child can easily manipulate and grip. Larger pieces and/or pieces with pegs are great for toddlers.
Choose a puzzle that interests your child. My son loves trucks, so we have several construction-themed puzzles!
Five skills you can target:
Building Vocabulary: There are so many different types of puzzles—farm animals, vehicles, zoo animals, etc. These puzzles are a great way to introduce new vocabulary!
Categories: Puzzles are thematic, which really helps with categories! All of the pieces usually relate to each other, like all being shapes, pets, sea animals, etc. Try to relate the theme back to your child. For example, “Look—it’s a car! You ride in mommy’s car when you’re going to school.”
Following Directions: Puzzles are a great way to work on following directions. You can have your child look for a specific piece (e.g., Find the cow.) or put in a piece (e.g., Put the firetruck in.).
Increasing Sentence Length: You can model phrases and sentences with 1 more word than your child is saying. If your child uses one-word, model a two word phrase; if your child uses 2 words, model a 3 word-phrase. For example, if your child says “cow,” model “want cow.”
Turn-Taking: Completing puzzles together is a great way to work on turn-taking. Model “my turn” and “your turn” while practicing.
Here are 4 of my favorite puzzles:
Melissa & Doug Vehicles Sound Puzzle
On the road, on the rails, by sea or by air, imaginations travel far and wide with this extra-thick wooden puzzle. Featuring nine easy-grasp, chunky vehicle pieces that can stand upright for pretend play.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Latches Board
Which animal friends are hiding behind the colorful doors? Undo a lock or latch, swing open the numbered door or window, and count on finding fun when the animal picture beneath is revealed.
Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Sound Puzzle
Which animal friends are hiding behind the colorful doors? Undo a lock or latch, swing open the numbered door or window, and count on finding fun when the animal picture beneath is revealed.
Montessori Mama Baby Dinosaur Puzzle
Step into the whimsical world of Montessori Mama's Wooden Baby Dinosaur Puzzle and embark on a prehistoric journey of discovery and learning!
What are some of your favorite puzzles?