Get ready for National Puzzle Day 2022

National Puzzle Day 2022

It seems like there’s a national day for almost everything!  But trust us, National Puzzle Day is something you will want to get involved with.  On January 29th, puzzle lovers get their time to shine and celebrate all things puzzling.  From crosswords and jigsaws to treasure hunts and Sudoku, there are so many puzzles out there to enjoy.

What is National Puzzle Day?

National Puzzle Day was first introduced in 2002 by puzzle creator Jodi Jill.  Jodi wanted to share her enjoyment of puzzles and highlight their benefits on our mental development.  Puzzles are great for children of all ages and interests, and they can be particularly valuable in the classroom.  Children can learn and develop by solving puzzles, and they won’t even know it!

What are the benefits of puzzles for children?

Puzzles are a favourite of teachers, parents, and professionals alike when supporting children’s development.  From shape recognition and fine motor skills to self-confidence and knowledge building, puzzles have always been educational tools that promote physical, emotional, and mental development that will benefit them way beyond the school walls.

  • Concentration  – It’s not uncommon for young children to have short attention spans but focusing on a fun puzzle provides a task with an end goal, which can help to build up concentration levels over time.
  • Problem-solving  – A puzzle is simply a problem that needs to be solved.  Through trial and error, children will quickly determine which methods work and which do not.
  • Language and Memory  – When children are involved in a puzzle, they may discuss it with others and learn to use their words more effectively to achieve their goals.  They will often ask for help with the puzzle from a classmate or teacher and will likely want to talk about their puzzle to family and friends once it is completed.
  • Patience  – They will subtly discover that not everything goes right the first time around and experience the benefits of putting time and effort into a task to bring reward.
  • Social Skills  – As well as solo play, puzzles can help socially.  Offering a puzzle for pairs or groups to complete can improve social skills and teamwork.  Even negative interaction such as two children wanting the same piece or disagreements about the best puzzle-solving method is a learning opportunity.  Puzzles are also an excellent way for children of all ages to interact.

How we use puzzles at the PE Hub

The popularity of National Puzzle Day has grown year on year, and the PE Hub will be joining in on the fun.  Puzzles have always been a crucial part of our learning programmes, mainly outdoor and adventurous activities.  Our  OAA lesson plans involve puzzles and games that introduce children to problem-solving and build confidence.

Don’t get too puzzled

As teachers of primary age children, you won’t be a stranger to getting crafty.  You can use inexpensive items that you probably already have lying around the classroom to create engaging puzzles that are fun too.  You can pick a theme that suits your learning objectives and keep increasing the difficulty as the class’s skills improve.

Here are just a few simple Puzzle Ideas:

  • Crossword
  • Wordsearch
  • Treasure Hunt
  • Paint by numbers
  • Jigsaw
  • Tangram
  • Mazes

Tip – Write a hidden message on the back of a homemade jigsaw or tangram puzzle for an extra fun surprise.

Remember to enjoy it!  Don’t take it too seriously and find something that everyone can enjoy.  If you’re not sure where to start, the PE Hub has created a free puzzle book.  Click the link to download and print our puzzle book for a quick and easy solution to your National Puzzle Day activities.

As always, the PE hub team are here if you want to know more about how you can integrate puzzles into your classroom on January 29th and throughout the school year.

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