For children aged 2-3 use puzzles with 4-12 pieces, for children aged 3-5 use puzzles with 12-50 pieces, for children aged 5-6 ages use puzzles with 50-100 pieces.
Children love games and if they see you enjoying the puzzle and spending time with them as you do it, they’ll definitely be more inclined to try it for themselves.
Don’t let them see you lose patience or interest in teaching them how to do it. Always show your happy face and never forget to praise them every time they match some pieces. [1] X Research source
This is important so that they can understand and match shapes as well as grasp the concept of fitting objects together. If this is too much for your child, show them how to do it by sorting a few shapes yourself. [2] X Research source
You can show them how to solve the puzzle by completing the puzzle for them or showing them a completed picture. You can also guide them throughout the entire process of solving the puzzles, to make sure that they are doing it the right way.
You can also emphasize the matching of each piece by showing it to them up close. Give them fewer cues once they know how to put the puzzle together and can do it on their own.
Keep the puzzles pieces in the same place until your child knows which piece goes where. Then you can mix up the pieces when they’re confident about doing the puzzle. Taking away one key piece until the very end is an innovative way to keep the puzzle interesting. Swap puzzles with other parents to keep your child’s mind busy. Avoid rushing into difficult puzzles, as this will only result into confusion and discouragement on their part.
If this is too overwhelming for your child then you may help them by loosely arranging the edges of the puzzle, but make sure not to put the puzzles pieces together. Then you may show them how to match difficult pieces to the edges.
For example, if your child is working on a Mickey Mouse puzzle with Minnie and Goofy, they could focus on putting together the pieces for a single character at a time.
