Jigsaw Puzzles

Fantasy Jigsaws

Developing Toddler Skills Through Play

Walk into any children’s toy store and you are overwhelmed with hundreds of toys, games and outdoor equipment. While the vast majority do offer educational value in that they help develop skills, some are more worthwhile than others.

A toddler has many skills to master, motor skills, socialising with others, developing basic skills such as number and color recognition, in preparation for school. Play is the fun way of learning.

In order to develop a rounded personality a toddler should be introduced to a variety of activities. Some parents feel they recognise a particular talent at a very early age and there is nothing wrong in encouraging this, as long as it is not to the exclusion of other activities. A full personality will cope better with life. Try to provide a variety of toys to develop a wide range of skills including improving dexterity, social and emotional skills, creative skills.

Toddlers cope best with chunky items as long as their little fingers can hold them. Small pieces of toys are too fiddly and there is the risk they may swallow something.

Toys such as building blocks and large pieces of lego will help hand control. Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles encourage observation as well as learning manipulation. Outdoor toys like tricycles, climbing frames, slides and playing football will develop physical ability.

Social skills can be developed through interaction with other children. A toddler group is a perfect start particularly for an only child used to receiving all the attention. Sharing is not an easy concept for an only child who cannot understand why someone else should play with what they want. Dolls and action men will help them create social situations where they decide the outcome. It gives an opportunity to work out situations that may have bothered them or re-create a favorite TV program where they control the outcome.

Toddlers love creative activities. Painting with bright colors using large brushes, modelling with clay or plasticine, building models using toilet rolls and boxes are activities that will keep them absorbed for hours and give them a real sense of achievement. Do not allow them to become frustrated, step in if they need a hand, but guide rather than take over and praise the result. It may not be recognisable, but it is to the child.

Sing nursery rhymes and include simple homemade instruments, for example, shaking rice in a container or beating a rhythm on a tin with a teaspoon.

Books and storytelling should play a major part in a child’s learning. They are an introduction to letters, numbers and color as well as a fantasy world. If toddlers like a particular book they will want to return to it time and again. Look for books that offer additional activities, pages with windows to open, different textures to feel or objects hidden on the page to be discovered.

Whenever you buy a toy consider what it may also be teaching your child. Give as wide a selection as possible to develop all the child’s skills. A sense of achievement will build their confidence and prepare them for school.

About the Author

Margaret Tye runs the Toddler Educational Toys website.

Final Fantasy XIII Battle Theme Guitar Cover – Jigsaw?!

fantasy beasts jigsaw puzzle book with six 24-piece jigsaws by anne sharp $11.99

Children BaBy and the dog Fantasy 500 Jigsaw Puzzle $19.99

Detective Conan Case Closed Anime Manga Shonen #3 Jigsaw Puzzle 500 Pieces $19.99

1940 Victory Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle “Indian Camp” OrigBx $69.99

1940 Straus Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle 300+pc Orig Box Fox Hunt “In Full Cry” 12″x16″ $99.99

1930 Straus Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle “Uninvited Guests” 100+ pc Original Box $99.99

Detective Conan Case Closed Anime Manga Shonen #4 Jigsaw Puzzle 500 Pieces $19.99

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Angel on Sistine ” $26.99

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Love letter” $26.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-038S Three Dogs (300 Pieces) $15.80

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Paris” $26.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-050S Sunflowers Claude Monet (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-053 The Gleaners Jean-Francois Millet (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-054S Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci (300 Pieces) $15.80

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Asda Kona resort” $23.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-070S Three Dogs (300 Pieces) $15.80

Melissa and Doug #2931 On The Go Hand Crafted 12 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $8.50

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-081S Flowers at Furano Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-082S Kenrokuen Garden Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Melissa and Doug #2932 Playful Pets 12 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $8.20

Japan Jigsaw Puzzle Tenyo Disney Mickey Mouse D-200-998 $23.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-083 Himeji Castle Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

500 PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE GUILD GREEN RIVER,VERMONT 15 1/ 2 X18 $9.99

Melissa and Doug #2933 Construction Site 12 Piece Handcrafted Jigsaw Puzzle $8.20

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-090S Three Dogs (300 Pieces) $15.80

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “The Legend of Heroes” $23.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-091S Dog (300 Pieces) $15.80

Japan Jigsaw Puzzle Tenyo Disney Donald Duck D-200-999 $23.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-092 Cat (300 Pieces) $15.80

Melissa and Doug #2936 Prehistoric Sunset 24 Piece Handcrafted Jigsaw Puzzle $9.75

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-101 Three Dogs (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-103 Shirakawa-go Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Disney’s Friends” $32.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-104 Night View of Yokohama Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-106 Asakusa Temple Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-108 Night View of Tokyo Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-109 Mount Fuji Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Mona Lisa” $26.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-110 Kinkakuji Golden Temple Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Jigsaw puzzles “Pooh! The march of the moonl” $30.99

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-111 I Love Summer (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-112 Sunset Beach (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-113 Clock Tower Sapporo Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

ENID BLYTON’S FAMOUS FIVE ON THE CASE 2 X 250 PIECE MYSTERY JIGSAW PUZZLES VGC $15.78

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-114 Village Toyama Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-115 Orthodox Church Hakodate Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-116 Houses at Nagano Japan (300 Pieces) $15.80

New 56 pieces THE SMURF sponge mouse pad puzzles jigsaw gift size 8” x 6” $1.55

Heye Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 pieces Venice $29.47

Epoch Jigsaw Puzzle 25-117 Neuschwanstein Castle (300 Pieces) $15.80

Hello Kitty with Flower and Bear Happy Enjoy Jigsaw Puzzle 500 Pieces $19.99

Jigsaw [VHS] $5.99 …

Saw: The Final Chapter $7.99 All gross things must come to an end–even the Saw franchise, which reaches its terminal point with this seventh feature (its first released in 3D in theaters). “Franchise” actually isn’t the proper term for the grisly series; each new film might be best described as the latest model, like a car or a DVD player, since the mechanics of the infernal machines created and unleashed by the morally driv…

Saw: The Final Chapter (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (Formerly Saw 3D) $9.98 Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 01/25/2011 Run time: 90 minutes Rating: R…

Saw III (Unrated Widescreen Edition) $2.24 The first Saw picture actually had an idea behind it, to say nothing of the ingenuity of its low-budget production; making a silk purse out of a bloody, maggot-ridden human ear, as it were. With Saw III, the franchise pretty much settles into gore for gore’s sake, as it explores newer and better ways to traumatize the body–and the audience. Events from Saw II are sewn up at the beginning of the f…

Ravensburger Stow & Go – Puzzle Accessories $12.09 Roll up and transport your jigsaw puzzle in progress with the innovative Puzzle Stow and Go. Just begin your puzzle on the bright felt mat with special non-skid backing for easy sorting and contrast and then when you want to take a break, roll the mat up with the help of the inflatable tube and use the two securing elastic bands to keep everything in place. Mat is sized to fit up to a 1500-piece p…

Ravensburger Puzzle Store $37.01 Features include:Unique sorting, assembly, storage and transport system for jigsaw puzzlesThe 28″ x 20″ removable assembly board holds puzzle formats of up to 1000 piecesSturdy cardboard carrying case with a 5-compartment sorting tray and 2 strap handlesSnap-tight closure ensures secure storage and transportClosed size measures 30″ x 22″ x 1″ and weighs 15 lbsRecommended Ages: 8 years & Up…

Ravensburger Oceanic Wonders – 3000 Piece Puzzle $19.99 Piece together this colorful ocean scene and watch it come to life in wonderful detail. Assemble it; then glue and frame it. With photographic-quality colors, this puzzle looks great in any room once completed. It’s the perfect rainy-day activity for the whole family. Contains 3,000 pieces. Measures 12″ x 17″ x 2.25″….

Where’s Waldo Now?: Reissue $7.95 In paperback for the first time! The elusive little guy you loved as a kid has ventured into an affordable new format, ready to boggle a new generationl. Now he’s easier to carry around — but just as hard as ever to find!…

Fantasy & Legend Scroll Saw Puzzles $10.22 Mythical creatures such as dragons and gargoyles, unicorns and mermaids, and griffins and hydras come alive in this guide to scroll saw puzzles. Each puzzle interlocks and can stand on its own. Step-by-step instructions, detailed guidance on getting started, and tips on wood selection, sanding, and finishing ensure success for all woodworkers. Simple patterns include a centaur and a hatchling; med…

The Senchai Mosaic $0.99 In the first book of the Fadó series, a young and beautiful Wizard of the Senchai Order, Verdor, is sent to the drought-ravaged kingdom of the Giants where a brutal and evil Putris Darkin secretly awaits.His plan is simple–destroy everything.Verdor’s only hope, and the Giants’ last chance, means sacrificing the one she loves.If she can only live….