Wooden Inset Puzzles

My favorites are the puzzles made by Melissa and Doug. The pictures are nice and bright, and the puzzles are handmade. Some of the puzzles make sounds when you put the pieces in. This can be good if your child needs positive reinforcement to stay on task. When choosing a puzzle you may want to take note of whether or not there are pictures in the bottom. Puzzles with the cut-outs but no pictures to match up with can be more difficult for beginners. Also, try to keep your child's attention span in mind. Melissa and Doug makes puzzles with as few as three pieces, which is great for children who can't sit for long to feel like they were able to complete something from start to finish!

Age Level: Varies depending on which puzzle you choose, but age recommendations are clearly laid out by the manufacturer.

Skills/Talents:
~Vocabulary: This can be addressed on several different levels, depending on where your child is.

• Picture naming: Hold the pieces in your lap and have the child ask for the pieces they want one at a time. 
• Picture Identification: This is a pre-cursor to picture naming. Hold all the pieces in your lap and tell your child "show me the_____" (on the puzzle). When she points to the picture, give her the piece. If your child does not point, take her hand and gently assist her in pointing to the right picture, then give her the piece. 
• Picture Matching: This is a pre-cursor to picture identification. It can only be addressed when there are pictures in the bottom of the puzzle. Hold up a puzzle piece and tell your child, for example, "Here is a cat. Find the other cat.", and help them find the corresponding picture on the puzzle before putting it in. 
• Following simple directions (receptive vocabulary): After all the pieces are in, tell your child, "Please give me the_____." Do this for each piece until they are all put away. 

~Turn-taking: Take turns putting the pieces into the puzzle. This is a great activity for young children who are just learning to take turns, because each turn is very quick (i.e., there is not too much waiting between turns).

~Fine-motor: Wooden puzzles with pegs on the pieces are great for working on your child's pinscer grasp.

~Staying on task: With an inset puzzle, the child can see how many pieces they have left to do. It is easier to stay on task when the child has the visual showing them that the task is finite.

Rating: Four out of five stars

Where to purchase this toy