Enabling Environments: Tried and Tested - Puzzle play
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Puzzles can help young children to develop their fine motor skills and give them a great sense of achievement when they're done. Nicole Weinstein asked early years settings to put some together.
FIND IT 123 and SEARCH AND LEARN JUNGLE
REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING
AGE: 2+
PRICE: £8.99 each
CONTACT: 01732 225850 or www.reflectionsonlearning.co.uk
These giant floor puzzles double up as a games. First assemble the puzzles, then play the games using the enclosed game pieces.
Tested by Orchard Barns Private Kindergarten, Colchester
'Both puzzles were very challenging for the three- to four-year-old age group and the children needed adult support to put them together. However, the games were excellent for sequencing, numeracy and language and literacy. The four- to four-and-a-half-year-olds worked together as a team and were able to complete the Find It 123 puzzle. They were really engaged in the task and loved talking about the different sea creatures and pirates in the picture. They also enjoyed matching the numbers to the game cards provided. The Search and Learn Jungle game was a really useful literacy activity. When we put the puzzle together the children loved working out which animals matched the cards with clues like, 'Which animal has a long neck?'. The puzzle pieces are solid, large and safe and we would definitely consider buying them.'
Star Rating: 3 out of 5 - Good
SEASONS PUZZLE
SBS
AGE: 2+
PRICE: £21.95
CONTACT: 01845 1252550 or www.sbs-educational.co.uk
This four-layer puzzle focuses on the differences between the seasons and is great for stimulating discussion, recognition and association.
Tested by Worlds End Under Five Centre, London
'The puzzle is quite complex and only suitable for our rising-fours. It's well-made and clearly depicts the seasons, but staff felt that it was not exciting enough. A number of children attempted the puzzle; one child in particular spent half an hour taking his time to complete the puzzle, during which he enjoyed talking about the seasons and how he likes to swim in the summer. A few children worked together to complete it, and some started but lost interest and found it too challenging. In order to help the children, we marked the back of the pieces to indicate the layers, without which it would have been too difficult. If each layer had a different puzzle style - for example, traditional interlocking and shapes - it would be easier and the learning experience would be greater. The puzzle is totally safe and a lot of workmanship has gone into making it, but I wouldn't consider buying the puzzle at this price.'
Star Rating: 3 out of 5 - Good
CUBIC PUZZLES (FARM/SEA)
GALT
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £16
CONTACT: 08451 203005 or www.galt-educational.co.uk
Wooden cubes that create themed pictures when slotted on to a wooden frame in the correct sequence and alignment.
Tested by Hyde-n-Seek Nursery, Glasgow
'We used this puzzle with our three-to five-year-olds. They were curious to see what the next picture would be if they moved the blocks around. It also helped further their colour and shape recognition abilities. They used it more as a mathematical toy, stacking the blocks and counting them, than a puzzle.
'But we were concerned about the stacking feature of the blocks. We found that the younger children were inclined to put them in their mouths. We wouldn't consider buying it, because we found that our children were not fully interested in the puzzle itself and even the children who found the puzzle achievable did not show any interest or passion in being able to complete it.'
Star Rating: 2 out of 5 - Satisfactory
SQUIDGY SPARKLE MAZE
TTS GROUP
AGE: 3-5
PRICE: £25.99
CONTACT: 0800 318686 or www.tts-group.co.uk
A giant, sparkly five-piece jigsaw that fits into a tray 94cm in diameter. Let the children trace along the various sparkly pathways to get to the treasure chest in the centre.
Tested by Ashbrow Children's Centre, Huddersfield
'We used the jigsaw in a large tray and the children used their fingers to trace the paths and their whole hands to squash the liquid about to move the glitter inside. The children's hand/eye co-ordination was enhanced by this activity, along with their listening skills and their ability to follow instructions. We also took the jigsaw into the mark-making area and gave the children tracing paper and pens to trace the paths to the treasure.
'Unfortunately, the play value of this product was very limited. We found that the children were attracted to it but lost interest very quickly and moved away from it if there was no adult input. We have children who have speech and language delay and this product did not offer much scope for language development. We had no concerns about the product, other than if the pieces leak, but we presumed that the liquid filling would be safe as it was from a reputable supplier. We would not consider buying it because as a resourceful staff team, we could make maps of our own with the children that would offer more learning opportunities. This product could be made much more exciting by having a treasure chest to place in the centre so that there is a reward for following the path. A variety of different treasures which could be changed regularly to suit children's interests would offer much more scope for language, excitement and anticipation to the children.'
Star Rating: 2 out of 5 - Satisfactory
LIVING AND LEARNING SOUNDTRACKS
YELLOW DOOR
AGE: 3-6
PRICE: £6
CONTACT: 0845 6035309 or www.yellow-door.net
This comprises an audio CD, four picture bingo-style boards and coloured counters. Listen to the CD and put a counter over the picture it represents on your bingo board. For up to four players.
Tested by Tracy Lee, private childminder, Norwich
'We would definitely buy this product. We had so much fun playing with it, plus there is educational value to it. It's great for developing children's auditory discrimination and concentration skills. My son has severe language delay and his level of understanding is very low. Our speech therapist uses activities such as this when we visit her, so it was great to practise them at home.
'We played the game as it was intended by listening, but prior to that we modified it slightly by each player having a bingo card and I shouted out the name of a picture. The pictures are bright and interesting, and most importantly, they are photographs rather than cartoon pictures or impressions of pictures. There are no concerns with safety. The counters are large and easy to see and to keep track of when younger babies and toddlers are present. It's great value for money; the price is perfect. I would only pay more if there were more bingo cards and sounds included.'
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 - Excellent
GEOMETRICAL PUZZLES SHAPES AND COLOURS MAXI PACK
WESCO
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £35.60 for set of three (triangle, circle and square
puzzle)
CONTACT: 0115 989 9765 or www.wesco-group.com
These large-sized puzzles aim to develop the ability to order objects by colour, and also provide for exercise in fine motor skills and sequencing logic.
Dulverton Children's Centre, Somerset
'This puzzle was well received by all the children. The colours are very attractive and inviting. We tested it in our birth-to-threes room and with children up to five years. We would definitely consider buying it, because we have some children aged two-and- a-half who are very good at puzzles. We need more challenging puzzles to meet their needs, and this set has certainly done this. One two-and-a-half year-old talked about the colours and shapes as he put the puzzle together. It was great for communication and mathematical development. It's safe, the wooden pieces are very well made with no splintering edges, it's sturdy and the pieces are easy to hold. It would be suitable to use with children up to five years.'
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 - Excellent
BEST BUY
For Gemma Froude, Nursery Manager at Smart Tots Complete Childcare in Banbury, Oxfordshire...
'We really like this set of five Transport Floor Puzzles from NES Arnold. It consists of a tractor, fire engine, plane, digger and bus. The pictures reflect a diverse community and are very clear. It encourages some great discussion around transport. The big pieces are also great for our three year-olds to pick up and easy for the children to experiment with where the pieces fit. The set costs £45. Contact 0845 120 or www.nesarnold.co.uk.'