Jigsaw Puzzle Games Help Kids Develop Cognitive Skills

IF you are looking to help your child develop his cognitive skills, you can start by introducing him to jigsaw puzzle games. These games are simple and have been proven very effective in exercising a child's spatial perception as he determines how the pieces relate to one another. Shape and colour analysis can also be improved, along with the ability to synthesize as the child determines how the pieces are related to the final picture. Jigsaw puzzle games provide various types of stimuli to improve the right brain function. The right brain is the non-verbal side of the brain, and it is responsible for intuitive, perceptual, spatial, and visual information.

A recent study revealed that brain training exercises can improve a person's cognitive function more effectively than knowledge games like crossword puzzles. According to the preliminary analysis of the Iowa Healthy and Active Minds Study in 2011, about 10 hours of using brain training software drastically improves cognitive function. Improvements were observed in eight weeks, and they remained in effect for 12 months. Based on neuropsychological tests, games like jigsaw puzzles can be fun and effective ways to enhance a child's cognitive skills.

Jigsaw puzzles are considered brain training exercises as they help develop analytical skills, attention to detail, and logic. They are not only entertaining—these games also help kids develop hand-eye coordination as they manipulate small objects to place them in specific areas. As they get older, the kids can advance to challenging and complex puzzle games that can further develop their analytical skills.

Spatial skills are improved when children visualise the puzzle pieces to determine where they should go. Their minds are forced away from concrete thoughts and are forced to think of abstract thoughts. Reasoning and problem-solving skills can be developed and improved, too. And when children succeed in solving jigsaw puzzle games, they develop self-esteem and confidence, as well as the courage to try more challenging puzzles.