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