Children have been playing with jigsaws for centuries, but do they have any educational value or are they just a great ‘holding’ activity? The first jigsaw was created in 1760 by an English cartographer (a person who draws maps) called John Spilsbury. He mounted a map onto thin board and cut around the county boundaries. He then boxed up the pieces and sold them to children to assemble. Jigsaws always had some sort of educational value but were really only for the wealthy!
There are so many great benefits to jigsaws:
Firstly, a jigsaw exercises both the right and left sides of the brain at once and helps develop long term working memory.
Children are able to develop shape recognition and visual spatial reasoning – could that piece realistically fit into that space!
A jigsaw also improves hand eye coordination and improves fine motor skills. Some of those pieces can be pretty fiddly!
Finally, a jigsaw is a calming activity and is an ideal stress reliever whist we are staying safe at home! Give yourself a break and have some quiet time!
No jigsaws, no problem!
1. Create your own jigsaw from a photo, a colouring book page or a drawing. Glue it onto thin card, cut up into pieces and put it back together again!
2. Compete an online jigsaw – here are some links:
Have fun and remember, a jigsaw is a great activity for big kids too!
Mrs G
