Jigsaw Come Together For Education And Pleasure

By Author: mattpfiu sonji
Total Articles: 3
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Toys come and go with predictable regularity, as the big seller at Christmas becomes consigned to the bottom of the wardrobe a few months down the line. The manufacturers brainstorm ideas and usually find something topical to attract the attention of the public and target market. Cynics often find fault with this but in reality there is nothing wrong with it and the practice will continue, of that there can be no doubt, however there are certain things that retain their appeal through the decades and one toy that stands out along side any other is the humble jigsaw.

This simple concept is probably what makes them so brilliant and the range can move from early learning with half a dozen pieces, right up to mammoth one thousand plus piece monsters, but in every case they concentrate the mind in a way that makes them addictive yet fun at the same time. One of the great Laurel and Hardy sketches features a memorable scene that revolves around a huge crowd of people attempting to finish a jigsaw on a wedding day, highlighting in a comical way the effect that these puzzles can have.

There is something quite magical ...
... about the jigsaw, it is incredibly rewarding for parents and teachers alike to see young children grasping the challenge and developing themselves with the confidence that comes from solving these puzzles. However, it is not just from an educational point of view that they are so popular, it is also from their ability to offer a kind of companionship to the elderly, or act in a therapeutic manner for people convalescing. The uniqueness of the jigsaw is the fact that it can be left incomplete and returned to as and when the mood takes you.

Increasingly popular are the personalized versions which adopt a photograph and this can become a touching gift, either from a sentimental angle or just a bit of humor, either way it is sure to be appreciatively received. Then of course there are always those amazing novelty adaptations that really capture the imagination. The great thing now is that the actual pieces are being handcrafted making them far more durable and in some cases become family heirlooms.

With the educational puzzles language has been a problem in the past, but now Irish, French and Polish versions are available which opens up increasing audiences. Children are prone to short attention spans which is why these puzzles are so effective in their development. The interaction they can derive from a jigsaw aimed at differing forms of education is immeasurable.

They learn in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, without necessarily realizing that they are actually taking part in a form of education. As they easily come apart and can just as easily be put back together again, the process of doing them over and over again helps exercise and stimulate the mind. There is never any pressure attached to completing a puzzle, thus allowing a child to learn at their own pace which is a hugely important fact.
The popularity of jigsaws seems to be increasing again, largely due to the manufacturers being able to create wonderful solid wooden pieces that are available from places like http://www.kildarepuzzles.ie/ who produce educational, novelty and personalized puzzles that make them a pleasure to solve.