Puzzles
Homemade puzzles often
have more appeal for kids than the commercial variety. Also the language and
motor objectives can be tailored precisely to the needs and interests of your group.
Objectives
Children ages 4-5 years can describe an animal by shape, size,
and feel Lang. IIIA
and they can pantomime an animal walk. Lang. IIIB
Children ages 3-4 years can recognize and join separate parts into whole. Cog. IIID
Children ages 2-2 ½ years can name animals. Lang. IB
Materials
Puzzles: 10-12 large
pictures of animals (one animal per picture) cut from magazines, mounted on
cardboard, and cut into 2-6 pieces. Similar (not identical) pictures of the
same animals. (Using identical pictures is a good way to simplify the project
for younger kids). Large envelopes to hold the puzzle pieces and corresponding
pictures.
Procedures
1. Gather children in a circle and show children pictures of
animals. Ask them to name animals and discuss with them the colors, sizes,
feel, and other characteristics of the animals.
2. Let each child in turn choose an animal to pantomime. The group tries to
guess the animal, then joins in the pantomime.
3. Move to a table and let each child choose the animal s/he would like to put
together. (Let younger children choose among pictures of animals that have
fewer puzzle pieces.)
4. As they become more proficient, give them puzzles with more pieces.
5. Have them put pictures and puzzle pieces together in an envelope when they
finish. Variations: 1.
Use puzzles of
animals, people, faces, etc. 2.
Let children make
their own puzzles by choosing pictures, mounting them on construction paper,
and cutting the pictures into pieces. Be sure to have good scissors. 3.
Make geometric
shape puzzles using squares, triangles, etc. Make curved or wavy cuts. To make
it easier, have each shape outlined on a piece of cardboard so that children
fit the puzzle together within the outline. 4.
A neat one. Have
children draw their own imaginary pet monsters. Discus characteristics. “Does
it have fur, feathers, scales, all of these or something else on it?” “How many
legs? toes? claws?” “Sharp teeth? a beak?”
Children invent a name and print it (with help) at the bottom of the
drawing. Mount drawings on construction paper and cut into pieces. Let children
try to assemble one another’s monster-pet puzzle.
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