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JennGM
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This isn't a Montessori question, but an "And More" question.
My son really enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles. We are graduating to more pieces. Although he can do them, he wants help and gets frustrated. I have repeatedly tried to explain corner and edge pieces, and I think I'm not explaining it well, as he's not grasping the concept, and still trying non-edge in edge places, etc.
I always solved a puzzle by finding the corners, then doing all the edges, and then the middle. I think I was taught that methodology. I know there's no "right" way, but he does think "in order" like I do, so I think it would help him.
But I'm not finding the right words or demonstrations to get that concept of edge pieces. I've used geometric shapes to illustrate, even having the same shape below the puzzle to fit in the pieces. While he can put the puzzle together, it's the concept I would like to convey.
Do this make any sense? Anyone have any hints? Other words to use (I've tried smooth, line)?
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Jennifer G. Miller
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 03 2007 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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I have the exact same problem with my ds. He can't grasp the corner and edge method, even though I've shown him over and over how to check for a straight edge, etc. Then he gets frustrated and loses interest. He'll do a puzzle every now and then, and that's it.
My dd, OTOH, loves puzzles and works away at them. It's just the difference in their personalities, I guess.
I have learned, too, with my ds that it's best not to push him with anything like this, and when I think he's not really listening or understanding me- he must be absorbing something, because days or weeks later he'll have mastered the concept.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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JennGM
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My son doesn't quit, though. He absolutely loves puzzles. He's drawn to them whereever he is, and will work on them all day. I just was trying to go to the next step, but I guess he'll get it in time.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 03 2007 at 9:01pm | IP Logged
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I think the whole puzzle thing is tricky- the edge pieces have a straight edge, but they also have curvy edges, and maybe at that age it's hard to make the distinction. Whenever I work on a regular puzzle and separate the pieces out, I always wind up missing edge pieces no matter how careful I try to be, and I am -ahem- well past 3 or 4 years old. I do know what you mean , though, wanting to try to explain it to him. That is great that he likes puzzles. I love them and wish ds would like them more, but maybe he will as he gets older. I'm sure someone out there has more advice for us.
ETA: Jenn, I hope you are feeling better
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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esperanza
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Jenn,
This is funny ..because I could have posted your entire post! My ds3 has not made the connection either and I can't remember when my older dc did 
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DivineMercy
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My son loves puzzles also and will sit and do them literally for hours. However, if he wants to do one that does not already have a border and is more than 12 pieces, I help him create the outside edge. While we do that together, I will leave a piece missing and ask him to find it from some of the pieces that are set aside. Then I ask him why he chose a certain piece. I don't think this follows in line with a Montessori approach, but he is making the connections with why we start that way and how to recognize an edge piece. In this way he can do smaller puzzles completely by himself now, but we do the 64 - 100 piece puzzles together still.
I hope that is slightly clearer than mud. ;)
God Bless,
Michelle
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My dd is almost 6 and has always been a puzzle lover and a wiz at them. She still doesn't get the edge thing though I've tried to explain and demonstrate. For her it is more about finding pieces of the picture that match, and I've noticed she doesn't pay much attention to the shape at all. For some it may be a concept they just have to discover on their own. As long as he isn't getting frustrated I would just let him do it his way.
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AndreaG
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| Posted: Aug 04 2007 at 7:39am | IP Logged
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I really think being able to find "edge pieces" is just one of those developmental things that clicks in eventually. I keep introducing it, without being pushy and eventually they get it- when they are ready!
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Christine
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Right-brain children (adults, too) usually do puzzles from the inside out. Left-brain people typically like to do the edges and corners first. I would let your children do the puzzle how they want to do it. This is not something that I interfere with in my home. If a child can do the puzzle, but asks for help, it might be that he simply wants to spend time doing something he likes with you.
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JennGM
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Christine wrote:
| Right-brain children (adults, too) usually do puzzles from the inside out. Left-brain people typically like to do the edges and corners first. I would let your children do the puzzle how they want to do it. This is not something that I interfere with in my home. If a child can do the puzzle, but asks for help, it might be that he simply wants to spend time doing something he likes with you. |
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Thanks, Christine. I may be left brain dominant, but I have a lot of right brain tendencies, and I see the repeat in him. He seems left brained, but for now does puzzles by putting sections together that match.
I appreciate the input. He's doing great, so I'll just leave it alone. Why do I think I need to interfere?
I just picked up a few more puzzles yesterday from Marshall's and Tuesday Morning. I love the wooden puzzles from Melissa and Doug (12 piece, 4 puzzles in a box), and bought another one yesterday. I also found some Shure puzzles at Marshalls, box of 4 puzzles, 24 pieces. They are so nice, and he's just having a great time. I'm thinking I may go back for more.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Christine
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Jenn, I forgot to mention that your son will eventually have an "aha moment" where he realizes that he need not even try a corner or edge piece in the middle. He may even decide to work from the outside in. As you realize, he is doing well either way. I appreciate your dedication to your little boy.
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Rachel May
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JennGM wrote:
| I love the wooden puzzles from Melissa and Doug (12 piece, 4 puzzles in a box), and bought another one yesterday. |
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That's the only one my kids do edge first because they can put the straight edge against the edge on the lid of the box.
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My 3 year old is a puzzle whiz - loves them - but he does not do edges first - he seems to have his own particular way. He now loves the big Melissa and Doug floor ones - USA and World Maps and Dinosaur one - and he spends hours doing them, taking them apart and doing them again. We usually do them with him the first time and then he tells us to "go"!
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JennGM
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Rachel May wrote:
JennGM wrote:
| I love the wooden puzzles from Melissa and Doug (12 piece, 4 puzzles in a box), and bought another one yesterday. |
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That's the only one my kids do edge first because they can put the straight edge against the edge on the lid of the box. |
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We set it up like that, too, but he still doesn't do the straight edge. I'm sure it will come.
I really appreciate the input on this. It proves to me that there isn't a dumb question, just dumb if I don't ask. I was getting frustrated for NOTHING. 
Tuesday Morning has the boxes of 12 piece, 4 puzzles for $4 or $5, several choices. I went back and also found on clearance some tray puzzles with 48 pieces, on the clearance rack.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Chari
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lapazfarm wrote:
| My dd is almost 6 and has always been a puzzle lover and a wiz at them. She still doesn't get the edge thing though I've tried to explain and demonstrate. For her it is more about finding pieces of the picture that match, and I've noticed she doesn't pay much attention to the shape at all. For some it may be a concept they just have to discover on their own. As long as he isn't getting frustrated I would just let him do it his way. |
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Jenn........my ds who is almost six, is just like described above.......and, in fact, we just built the same 300 piece puzzle twice this week.........a really cool Lewis and Clark find from our trip......and he still did not seem to get that corners and flat edge idea..........though he IS a puzzle wiz and has been since he was little. It must definitely be a developmental thing. It will come........and how great that he can enjoy puzzles at his age........great for laying down those neurons! And, for occupying them!
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: How To Do Puzzles
