Day 6/366

Today is my mother's birthday! I surprised her with this amazing box of Lego Flower Bouquet. She loves solving puzzles and I thought this would definitely be a nice gift for her. And guess what, she absolutely loved it! She was excited to built it and as a matter of fact, my birthday was a couple of weeks back and my friend from Brunei surprised me with the same lego set. So since both of my mother and I had the same set, we decided to built it together! One flower a day, starting from tomorrow.

My day was otherwise very relaxed as it was the weekday and we spend time together as a family. We decided to go out for lunch to a near by pub and enjoyed some yummy food and drinks! Kids walked around the street and watched some artists perform (music, or any instrument). The weekend markets were as usual busy and filled with fancy things to buy and see. The weekends truly are when evryone gets to relax and just take it easy! You could totally feel it in the air ! Everyone is just happy and relaxed rather than the usual weekday rush on the streets when there is a sense or worry or panic on everyone's face!

In the evening, we spend time making the puzzle that I bought the girls from a sale recently. Playing puzzles with kids is a great way to have fun and encourage problem-solving skills.

Here are some tips to make the experience more enjoyable:

1. Choose age-appropriate puzzles: Select puzzles that match the developmental abilities and interests of your kids. Look for puzzles with larger pieces for younger children and more complex puzzles for older kids.

2. Start with simpler puzzles: Begin with puzzles that have fewer pieces and larger, easily recognizable images. This will help build confidence and gradually increase the difficulty as they progress.

3. Create a comfortable playing area: Organize a space where your kids can spread out the puzzle pieces without interruption. Make sure the area is well-lit and comfortable to sit or kneel.

4. Work on puzzles together: Collaborate with your kids by working on the puzzle together. Start by finding the edge pieces and constructing the border. Then, divide the remaining pieces among yourselves and work on different sections simultaneously.

5. Encourage problem-solving and critical thinking: Instead of providing immediate answers, encourage your kids to think critically and problem-solve. Ask open-ended questions like, "Where do you think this piece fits?" or "What colors or shapes should we look for next?"

6. Offer praise and encouragement: Celebrate small victories and progress throughout the puzzle , offering words of encouragement and praise. This will boost their confidence and motivate them to continue.

7. Take breaks when needed: If your kids start to get frustrated or lose interest, it's okay to take breaks. Maybe switch to another activity and come back to the puzzle later when they are feeling refreshed and ready to tackle it again.

8. Consider puzzle themes or interests: Choose puzzles with themes or images that your kids are interested in, such as animals, vehicles, or their favourite characters. This will make the activity more engaging and enjoyable.

9. Celebrate accomplishments: Once the puzzle is complete, take a moment to celebrate their accomplishment. Praise their effort and highlight their problem-solving skills. You can even frame or preserve the completed puzzle to showcase their achievement.

Remember, playing puzzles with kids is not just about completing the puzzle, but also about enjoying the process, building skills, and spending quality time together. Have fun!

Love

Ammu