When you think of toddlers and preschoolers doing puzzles, what picture comes to mind? A thoughtful child sitting on the floor, with a focused look as they try each piece of the puzzle in different positions? Or maybe it's a child sitting at a little table, sliding the pieces into place, a huge smile lighting up their face when they have finished?
Those are great. But what about this...
A determined child grasps a puzzle piece, wobbles ever so slightly across a balance beam over to a puzzle board, and the piece is promptly placed into position.
The difference? A whole lot of movement. And it turns out, that this additional movement, whether it be balancing, lifting, rocking, rolling, pushing, or crawling, is a complete game changer. Not just for those kids who seem to need to move their bodies at all times, but for all kids.
Here's the brief why: exercise activates the prefrontal cortex, which helps with retention, executive function, and focus. Balance exercises specifically have been shown to improve planning, decision making, and attention. Heavy load exercises have been shown to boost brain health. Movements that activate our vestibular system, such as sitting on a therapy ball or doing log rolls, help with concentration, attention span, and controlling emotions.
In short, getting kids to move before or during moments of creativity and problem solving will help improve performance. It also is so much fun! So here's 7 different movement puzzle combinations that will give kids a boost:
ROCKING BOARD PUZZLING
Set a table with puzzle pieces and puzzle board in front of a rocking balance board. The child completes the puzzle while rocking back and forth on the board.
BALANCE BEAM PUZZLING
Place the pieces of a puzzle on one end of a balance beam, and the board (or work area) on a table at the other end. The child picks up a piece (or two) and carries it across to place. Back and forth, until they have completed the puzzle.
LOG ROLL PUZZLING
Place the pieces of a puzzle on one side of the room and the puzzle board (or area of work) on the other. Then have the child pick up a piece and roll over to the board to place. Then they roll back to the pieces. Back and forth, until they have completed the puzzle.
BEND AND REACH
This works really well with vocabulary exercises. Place objects around a balance cushion. Have the child stand on the balance cushion, while an adult (or taller child) holds up a basket, high enough where the child has to reach up to place the object in the basket. Then call out items for the child to bend down, pick up, and stretch to place.
WHEEL BARREL PUZZLING OR HANDSTAND PUZZLING
Place puzzle pieces separate from the board (or work area). After child choses a piece and gets it set in hand, lift up the child's feet and slowly hand walk over to the board. If the child is still young and building shoulder strength, set their feet down before they place the puzzle.
For slightly older children, you can continue to hold them up while they place the puzzle piece. For those that are strong and up for the challenge - you can walk them forwards and backwards until they let you know they need a break.
CLIMB CRAWL PUZZLING
If you have some sort of climbing apparatus (like a Pikler Triangle), place it in front of a desk or a tunnel or low fort. Place puzzle pieces on one end, next to where the child will climb, and the puzzle board (or work area), at the edge of where the child will crawl. The child will have to climb over, and crawl under repeatedly to complete the puzzle. If you are missing either climbing or crawling element, doing one works great too!
HEAVY LOAD PUZZLING
Place large basket filled with blocks or other heavy toys on a desk on one side of the room. Have child pick two or three puzzle pieces and add into the basket. Then Child carries the heavy load over to a desk with the puzzle board on the other side of the room. The child carries the heavy load back and forth until the puzzle is complete.
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