Solving puzzles is a great way for young children to develop important hand-eye coordination and motor skills. The most basic of puzzles are those which include shape sorting, whereby a child is required to manipulate various shaped blocks and place them in the appropriately shaped slot. These are suitable for children as young as one, and will help them develop very basic problem solving skills as well as hand-eye coordination.

Jigsaw puzzles are very popular among children. Jigsaws with increasing levels of difficulty are available for a wide range of ages and developmental stages. Jigsaw puzzles utilize a handful of specifically shaped pieces that fit into corresponding holes in a board.

The number of pieces can range from as few as four up to a thousand. Often with puzzles for younger children, the jigsaw pieces are decorated so that when placed together correctly they form an entire picture. Completing these simple puzzles not only aids hand-eye coordination but also will help develop a child's memory. Jigsaws designed for older children may include letters and numbers to help familiarize them with the alphabet and learn basic numeric skills.

Other puzzles designed for children rely on the matching of shapes and colors. Not only will these puzzles aid in hand-eye coordination skills, but will also encourage your child to distinguish between different shapes and colors. These basic problem solving skills are essential for a child to develop and ready themselves for bigger challenges

Puzzles are an invaluable aid for skill development. However, it is important to introduce children to those that are suitable for their age group. Incorporating chunky 3d puzzles is a good idea for toddler age children. (All I Can Imagine sells a beautiful line of hand-painted wood puzzle collections including ABC and Numbers, African wild animals, North American animals, Dinosaurs, Southwest series, Trees and Birds, Sea Life, and Fish. Visit us at All I Can Imagine

Young children in particular can get very frustrated with puzzles that they cannot
solve. Often this is simply because they haven't yet developed the necessary
hand-eye coordination or thought processes required to complete them.

Introducing puzzles to children at a young age is an enjoyable way for them to
develop important manual dexterity, memory, and coordination skills. As they get
older, they will be able to advance to more complicated puzzles promoting development
of language and numeric skills. It is important to help your child with puzzles
initially. As they become more comfortable with the idea of puzzles, they will be
able to complete them on their own, providing a rewarding experience for both you and
your child.

Whatever your child's age or area of interest, supplying your child with a variety of puzzles will provide him/her with hours of educational fun. I have found on my internet searching more types and sizes of puzzles that I ever knew existed. As your child grows and develops there will be no problem finding puzzles of any difficulty level.

Author is a retired Christian woman. She owns All I Can Imagine (a certified Family Friendly Website) that sells eco friendly children's learning and fun toys including giant cardboard building blocks, 3d wood puzzles, adventure and wood play sets, wood coat hooks and wood bookends. Website includes many parent and teacher resources and activities for kids as well as animal facts that go along with the animal puzzles. See our complete line at: http://www.blocksand3dpuzzles.com