Jigsaws are fun … and a great way to help your child with maths!

I was at a maths network meeting and I suddenly thought – Yes, doing jigsaws really are a great way that parents can easily help their children with maths!

We were discussing the importance of what is known as spatial reasoning, and doing jigsaws is a great way to develop spatial reasoning.

If you think about it, when you are doing a jigsaw, you are trying to fit and interlock pieces together to make a picture.

You look at the shape and colour of each piece and try and decide what neighbouring shapes look like. You then look to see if you can find suitable pieces that might fit. You inspect the pieces … maybe if it was turned around it would fit? If it still does not fit, we try another. And so on until the picture and the jigsaw is complete.

This whole activity is actually very mathematical. We are using spatial reasoning to do the jigsaw, and it is a very important mathematical and practical skill.

So, enjoy doing jigsaws with your child. They are fun … and a great way to help your child with maths!

The Early Childhood Maths Group have designed some wonderful posters explaining this more. Do take a look!

Have fun!