Do you help your child with puzzles?

[nelson]

Basically what the title says, "do you help your child with puzzles?" DS is three and suddenly really into puzzles. He likes me to watch him, but do I sit there and watch him get frustrated when he isn't getting it? I want to encourage him to not give up, but he seems to quit when it isn't working, so I tend to jump in, even though I am not sure that I am actually "helping" him. I guess this could apply to older kids too with homework and such...What do you do? How do you get your kids to stay persistent and watch that you're not just doing the work for them?

[KCMichigan]

At that age--- I showed my DDs how to do borders, explained how to match up colors, etc. So yes, I helped- but it was guided help.

Maybe:

1. try to have him do a piece, you do a piece

2. you take 'harder' solid color pieces, give him the 'easier' pieces

3. Do the border together and then have him finish it

4. As he is thinking, give him clues (try turning  the piece, what color do you think goes with that? Hmmmm where could that go, it looks like a X) etc.

I like to do puzzles with my kiddos....I have gradually lengthened the time that they worked on them alone, also I would do it with them and then 'work' nearby while they did  a familiar puzzle (so they met with more success).

[tbone_kneegrabber]

Of course I 'help'. I see puzzles, games, and lots of other play as social activities that we do together. So we 'work' on the puzzle together. When I do puzzles I want to work on them with other people I don't really do puzzles alone that would not feel fun to me, just like I probably won't play a board game alone.

[NZJMama]

Yes, I help. We do puzzles together. I tried teaching DS to do borders first, but he has his own way of putting together different sections of the puzzle. It's actually pretty amazing to watch him do puzzles. When I see them getting frustrated I may hand them a piece and say "does that one fit over there?" That way they feel like they are doing it themselves and get a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes we will each work on a section of the puzzle and just chat while we work. 

[Alyantavid]

Definitely.  I don't jump in and start doing it but I'll suggest different places or having him turn it different ways. 

There's nothing at all wrong with helping a 3 year old do a puzzle unless he doesn't want you to.

[crunchy_mommy]

I help a bit but try to get him to challenge himself too... so I try not to let him get too frustrated, and provide help if he asks for it, but I think struggling a little & the process of figuring it out is important. I try to keep my 'help' mostly verbal ("try turning it a little") or hand him certain pieces, rather than just show him how to do it/do it myself. It can also be a good opportunity to practice using works like clockwise, left/right, etc.

Anyway, I would just do whatever makes your kiddo happy, puzzles are supposed to be fun so as long as he's enjoying himself you are doing it 'right'.

[samstress]

Originally Posted by KCMichigan 

At that age--- I showed my DDs how to do borders, explained how to match up colors, etc. So yes, I helped- but it was guided help.

Maybe:

1. try to have him do a piece, you do a piece

i wouldn't say i help, but i often do puzzles with her, just because it's something to do together.  the more difficult puzzles she has (two or more years above her age level) i tend to help her more with only because she tends to get frustrated and wants to quit.  i find that if we take turns with pieces, she'll stick with it.

[JudiAU]

Sure. I won't do them but when DS is in a puzzle phase I will help out. Depending on age or difficulty I might group pieces so they can be found or nudge a pieces causing frustration or even help out on a tricky piece. I want him to enjoy the experience and grow at his own pace without getting overwhelmed. Puzzle skill is about repetition for the most part. DS can't do puzzles now that he could do at 2.5 because he just isnt in to them. Enjoy it.