| From the very start jigsaw puzzles have been a fun | | | | even though it is only 500 piecesmay be extra |
| educational tool. | | | | challenging. |
| John Spilsbury,a London mapmaker and engraver, | | | | 5) Specialty Puzzles: |
| made the first jigsaw puzzle inabout 1766. Splisbury | | | | The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a |
| attached a map onto a piece of wood, then cut out | | | | puzzle may be a rectanlgeshape with a picture of a |
| the countriesand continents allowing his customers as | | | | field of flowers. If this sounds boring to you keep |
| well as geography students to reassemble themin the | | | | looking! |
| correct pattern. | | | | There are many unique puzzles out there. |
| Many educators today agree that the skills needed to | | | | Shaped puzzles are puzzles that have a unique border |
| complete jigsaw puzzles arefundamental. Jigsaw | | | | shape. Such as in the shapeof a dog or of an eagle in |
| puzzles teach reason and problem solving skills as well | | | | flight. These puzzles offer a a challenge to those who |
| as hand-eyecoordination and spatial awareness. In | | | | alwayswork the border of a puzzle first. Round |
| additon to the basics, I believe also that theact of | | | | puzzles are some of my favorites to work becauseof |
| working and completing a jigsaw puzzle teaches | | | | the unusual way the pieces are cut! |
| patience and perserverence. Puzzlescan be a team | | | | Glow In The Dark puzzles look like a standard puzzle |
| effort as well. Compared to a video game for | | | | but parts of the design willglow in the dark making |
| example, a completed jigsawpuzzle gives a child | | | | them a great choice to glue and save! |
| something tangible to say "Look at what I can do!". | | | | Tips for getting started: |
| Puzzles can be a part of a complete lesson plan or | | | | Now that you have a puzzle, and a place to work it, |
| activity with only a littleeffort. Such as,a puzzle with | | | | you are a little overwhelmedby looking at that huge pile |
| birds and plants can start a nature walk. Can you | | | | of pieces. Now what? |
| findthe birds in the puzzle in your neighborhood? If you | | | | 1) Lighting |
| are working a puzzle with exoticanimals, take a trip to | | | | A bright place to work will reduce eye strain and make |
| the zoo to learn more! | | | | for a more enjoyable experience. |
| Doing a jigsaw puzzle as a family gives you a great | | | | 2) Sort your pieces |
| opportunity to talk and spendsome quality time | | | | I like to turn all the pieces right side up first as well as |
| together. Jigsaw puzzles are enjoyed by all age | | | | sorting the edge pieces rightaway. I have also found |
| groups and can be veryrewarding in many ways. With | | | | that using boxes or small containers to sort the |
| the toy stores today over-flowing with electronic | | | | different colorsinto is very helpful! ( The boxes of |
| gadgets,a jigsaw puzzle can offer an enjoyable and | | | | previously worked puzzles that you have |
| memorable experience for your family. | | | | gluedtogether to display are perfect for this.) |
| Things to look for when purchasing a jigsaw puzzle: | | | | 3) Enlist help |
| 1) Picture : | | | | I have found that it is nearly impossible to walk past |
| I think the most important thing to look for when | | | | someone who is working a puzzlewithout stopping to |
| purchasing a jigsaw puzzleis the picture itself. Puzzles | | | | find a few pieces myself. Puzzles are a great way to |
| are meant to be fun, so find a picture that makesyou | | | | pass time andyou may have a wonderful conversation |
| smile! | | | | too! |
| 2) Size and Piece count | | | | 4) Puzzle roll ups |
| You should pay attention to the piece count, make | | | | If you need to use the dining room table again, and you |
| sure it is appropiate to theage and skill of the puzzler. | | | | are not finished with your puzzleyet, don't dispair! A |
| 500 pieces may be to hard for your 6 year old to do | | | | puzzle roll up will help you move and store your |
| solo,but may be perfect for the family to do together. | | | | unfinished puzzlefor another day! Puzzle roll ups are |
| The size of the completed puzzle is important. Make | | | | available in a variety of sizes. |
| sure the area you willassemble the puzzle will hold the | | | | 5) Puzzle Glue |
| puzzle and have extra room for the un assembled | | | | Once you have completed your puzzle it can be heart |
| puzzlepieces. | | | | breaking to take it apart again. |
| 3) Quality: | | | | If you really like the design, or just want to show off |
| A quality puzzle is well worth the price! Vibrant colors, | | | | your hard work, it is a simpletask to glue the puzzle |
| tightly fittingpieces etc. will make assembling the puzzle | | | | together and hang it on your wall! A good puzzle glue |
| more enjoyable. It is frustrating to havethe paper fall | | | | will dryclear so it doesn't distort the beauty of the |
| off the cardboard of a puzzle piece. | | | | colors. Puzzle glue is brushed on, and whenit is dry you |
| 4) Challenge level: | | | | can frame the puzzle, or hang it up as is. Keep the |
| While choosing a puzzle, keep in mind that a puzzle of | | | | decor of your home inmind when you are buying |
| a solid color orrepeating pattern may make it more | | | | puzzles, and you can fill your home with art you made |
| difficult then a puzzle with a variety of colors. | | | | yourself! |
| Example, a puzzle of black cat on a black blanket | | | | 6) Afterwards... |