I just picked this one up from B&N... Spell it Out Puzzle- Forming First Words
Of course we all want to find ways to stimulate our children’s minds, but as busy Parents we don’t always have the time and answers. My sister, Ericka Petersen, is an early childhood genius in my eyes, and I’ve been dying to post some of her knowledge for all of you. She always has a plethora of knowledge, advice and suggestions as I raise my three children. I need all the help and advice I can get to help my children fulfill their dreams. Who knew a puzzle contributed so much to our children’s minds?!?
Puzzling Places (for ages 3-4) from The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Met Kids
Benefits of Puzzles
1. Visual Discrimination – Finding similarities and differences
2. Pre Literacy Skills – Physical Characteristics of letters (via the lines and curves), Orientation (learning up and down then associating to letters), Directionality (reading left right top to bottom).
3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
How To: The Puzzle Process
First Flip the Pieces Over
Second Sort “Outside” and “Inside” Pieces
Third Start from the Outside In
*Ericka Petersen teaches Pre-Kindergarten at a Title One School in Houston Independent School District and graduated from Texas A & M University. Currently Ericka’s students are working 30-50 piece puzzles, they will be putting together 75 piece puzzles by the end of the year.*
Parenting is Puzzling, Hope this Helps!
Emily Arnim
