Puzzles
Goal 21: Coordinate wrist, hand, finger, finger-thumb, and eye-hand movements.
Materials: Puzzles, puzzle rack
Procedure: Place a variety of puzzles in a puzzle rack or on the table where the children can see them. Demonstrate how to take puzzles out by pouring puzzles of 50 to 100 pieces into a large tray or laying them out on a surface with the picture side up. Puzzles in frames should be removed one piece at a time and placed on a table. Do not flip them over because the pieces will slide and get lost on the floor or under furniture. Ask a child to look carefully at the picture, noting distinctive features. Guide the child as necessary to solve the problem. Point out curved and straight lines. Suggest tracing the edges of the shapes with a finger. Suggest looking for corner or edge pieces first because they usually have distinctive features.
To Simplify: Select easier puzzles: puzzles with one hole for each puzzle piece; 3 to 5 piece puzzles; 5 to 10 piece puzzles with the cuts in logical places such as a tail or a foot; 11 to 15 piece puzzles.
To Extend: Increase the number of pieces or the complexity of the picture. Three dimensional puzzles are available and require a long time to complete but provide great challenge for older children.
Materials: Puzzles, puzzle rack
Procedure: Place a variety of puzzles in a puzzle rack or on the table where the children can see them. Demonstrate how to take puzzles out by pouring puzzles of 50 to 100 pieces into a large tray or laying them out on a surface with the picture side up. Puzzles in frames should be removed one piece at a time and placed on a table. Do not flip them over because the pieces will slide and get lost on the floor or under furniture. Ask a child to look carefully at the picture, noting distinctive features. Guide the child as necessary to solve the problem. Point out curved and straight lines. Suggest tracing the edges of the shapes with a finger. Suggest looking for corner or edge pieces first because they usually have distinctive features.
To Simplify: Select easier puzzles: puzzles with one hole for each puzzle piece; 3 to 5 piece puzzles; 5 to 10 piece puzzles with the cuts in logical places such as a tail or a foot; 11 to 15 piece puzzles.
To Extend: Increase the number of pieces or the complexity of the picture. Three dimensional puzzles are available and require a long time to complete but provide great challenge for older children.
