FM.H Problem Solving and Puzzles

In this sequence you will find activities designed to teach the child to use his skills of hand and eye to solve problems.

There are different kinds of problems within the sequence, including:

• How do I put this in there?
• How do I get that out of there?
• How do I put this together?
• How do I make mine look like hers?

You will find several areas of overlap between this and other sequences, especially with Sequence FM.E: Manipulative Skills. Ideally, these sequences should be taught together.

The ability to solve puzzles is in large measure the ability to try again if things don’t work out the first time. The activities presented here are designed, in part, to encourage the child to persevere until he finds a solution.

Many of the skills in this sequence involve form boards, interlocking puzzles or jigsaw puzzles. These require carefully selected materials. Even city dwellers have to go out of their way to hunt for suitable puzzles and for people in isolated areas the difficulties are much greater. If you have a local preschool or toy library, the staff will help you to identify suitable puzzles and will know how to order them. Your local toy seller could also help by obtaining catalogues and ordering materials for you. Some of the best puzzles we have seen have been home-made.

We will describe the materials you need in detail at the start of each item in the sequence. But first, one general point about puzzles. Many puzzles for small children come with small knobs on each piece. These are helpful in pulling the pieces out, but they can cause difficulties when it comes to putting them in again. Many children tend to hold the piece by the knob, and try to turn it by twiddling the knob around. This does not give the children enough control over the piece, and the result is frustration. Sometimes these puzzles are specifically recommended for handicapped children, but in our experience they create more problems than they solve. Look for puzzles without knobs, or pull them out with pliers. If you are stuck with them, discourage your child from using them. He will do much better if his fingers are placed firmly on the surface of the puzzle piece.

Below we list all the skills in this sequence.