Puzzles - 21st March 2022

Spontaneous: This afternoon after lunch the children were having a little play before going to bed. I brought the puzzle boards out of the room and placed them on the floor. Everleigh, Nathan, Hunter and Jack sat next to me and got the puzzle boards. Pilar joined them after a while and her best friend Jack shared with Pilar. Nathan had a house in his puzzle board, when he took that house there was a mouse picture on the puzzle board and he said "mouse, mouse". Hunter was so settled and showed involvement and confidence in doing the puzzle. Hunter got animals puzzle. Pilar and Jack shared the puzzle board and helped each other. There were different vehicles on their board. Jack said "car" and Pilar said "car" too. Everleigh chose the sea creatures puzzle board and was able to handle it while naming some sea creatures like 'fish, shark". After playing with puzzles for a while the children went to bed to have their rest and sleep. Puzzle play is a great way to provide a challenge for children, allowing them to learn how to focus, concentrate, persist and complete a set task. Puzzle play promotes logical thinking, problem solving skills, fine motor skills and visual/perceptual skills. puzzles allow children to develop their hand/eye coordination. children are able to learn early numeracy skills such as size, shape, matching, colours, sorting and recognizing similarities and differences. Children also feel a sense of pride and accomplishment once the puzzle has been completed.

Link to Pedagogical Documentation

EYLF Outcomes

Outcomes: 5: Children are effective communicators Elements: 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes. The children in this learning experience were able to communicate their ideas about their puzzles verbally and non-verbally with their peers and educators.

Theorists

This learning experience can be linked to Piaget's theories. He believed that children are active learners and that the children must be given opportunities to explore, discover and experiment. These principals underpin all cognitive development.

Interpretation

Critical Reflection: The children were running around and few children were upset after their lunch time. I planned for a quiet activity before taking them to bed. The puzzle activity helped the children to settle down and the transition to bed time went smoothly. Follow Up: different puzzles based on age group. Links to STEAM - Mathematics