Playing with a puzzle

With puzzles you can work on labeling, of course, the vocabulary will be different based on the type of puzzle it is. While working on labeling the item; plane, cow, lion, etc. Don’t forget about the sounds; zoom, moo, roar. Those are important goals too, usually the ones they accomplish before they’re labeling the item. You can label one at a time, choose from a choice of 2 or more. Often I will demonstrate the items as they put them in or have them choose from a choice of 2. Then ask for the pieces back to see if they really know them.

You can work on requesting, signing “give me” or “more” or saying “gimme, want, more” moving up to “I want…”. I would start by requesting "more", then move on to "give me", and "want more". Then adding the item "want cow". Once they've mastered that add the pronoun, "I want cow." Break down longer phrases by word. First, say "I want cow." If they can't/won't imitate that, break it down "I....want....cow" letting them imitate each word.

You can hide the pieces in a sensory box, like a bean box. Some children find the bean box calming and it will help them focus. You can use words like “hide, push, dig, find it, Where did it go? There it is" It's also fun to play in any sensory bin. You can check out the Sensory bin post and my Pinterest board for more sensory bin fillers. Just be careful, wooden pieces in anything that is wet probably won't end well.

Coaching puzzle play over teletherapy has been a bit more challenging. I was used to doing by showing and setting an example. Now I have to use my words while parents do it. Some parents follow along well, others not so much. I feel like it's a learning curve for both of us. I like to be hands-on and play with the kids, but I do feel like this new normal and having to coach will be better in the long run. I just wish more of the parents would except that and understand it. They want me to come in fix things, but parents are the best teachers, and playing with their kids is the best way for them to learn. I'm only there for an hour a week and just like the kids, having the parents more hands-on themselves will help them learn what to do so they can help their kids.

Although you could try holding up 2 puzzle pieces on your end to have them identify. They lose out on the matching part of it and problem solving to get it to fit right. So it's still better to coach the family to do it themselves.

I hope everyone has fun with puzzles this week and every week. There are so many out there they can fit any theme you may have.