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NDIS Approved Provider | Trusted by 200+industry professionals | 25 years of expert knowledge & Experience
We all love jigsaws. Most of us have being doing them since day dot. They have a fond place in our hearts but can you honestly remember the last time you got started on one for yourself, and not your kids? Well now's the time. And here's why....
According to medical experts, doing jigsaws is good for the health of your brain. It exercises your brain in a number of ways, helping to make you healthier and happier (sounds good to us!).
Interestingly, jigsaws haven been proven to exercise both the left AND right sides of your brain at once!
Your left brain is logical and works in a very linear way. Your right brain is creative and intuitive.
When you're doing jigsaw puzzles, both sides of your brain are engaged - your brain is getting a full work out!
This is a great article to help understand a little bit more about our brain function!
https://www.healthline.com/health/left-brain-vs-right-brain
Ever have those frustrating moments when you head upstairs to find something, then forget what it even was you were looking for? Us too!
Our memory is a precious tool for us all, especially our short term memory. It allows us to go about our daily lives.
Solving jigsaw puzzles helps reinforce existing connections between our brain cells, improving mental speed and thought processes.
Our short term memory helps us remember shapes and colours. This in turn allows us to visualize the 'bigger picture' when puzzling to figure out which pieces fit together.
Adults and kids both benefit from this type of brain stimulation. It is vital to combating diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer's or anyone who may be suffering brain damage as a result of injury. Not to mention helping us remember what we had for lunch yesterday...
A hot topic right now. Modern life is becoming increasingly stressful. The great thing is we are starting to recognise that and the result is some fantastic discoveries into varying forms of mediation as a stress reliever.
As we are introduced to a new world of isolation, overall mental well-being is as important as ever. Finding new tools and techniques to assist is vital for us all, and finding the right ones for each of us as an individual. No doubt different things will work for different people.
This is where jigsaw puzzles come into their own. They are like little (or large!) stress relieving heroes. Focusing on a task or image for a long period of time, without any additional thoughts entering your mind, is in itself meditation.
By doing a jigsaw puzzle, you are getting some of the same benefits as mediation - an often needed moment of peace.
Spacial intelligence, visual-spacial reasoning, spacial awareness. Whatever you call it, this is one of the most key skills we will ever learn in life: how to determine where you are in space and time.
That includes your own body parts. It also involves being able tell how far objects are from you and from each other.
When you do a jigsaw puzzle, you need to look at individual pieces and figure out where they'll fit in the bigger picture.
But what does visual- spacial reasoning help us with?
Here are some great examples...
Lastly, and most importantly to us, jigsaw puzzles are such fun to do with your family. Doing jigsaws together gives you quality time with your loved ones. They also put deposits in the precious memory bank.
Not only does this time involve valuable social interaction, bonding with those closest to us has been proven to boost a child academic performance and reduce behavioural problems.
You may find yourselves spending more time together than ever before during this isolation period, so why not turn it into something great! What a fantastic time to discover what we love doing together as families.
Get amongst the jigsaw hype and know deep down, that you are not just occupying yourself and family but giving everyone invaluable gifts on so many levels.
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From all of us at team Starfish, stay safe.
Want to start doing jigsaw puzzles? Check out all our jigsaws HERE!
40 Proprioceptive activities for the classroom. Simple and practical activities to incorporate Proprioceptive into the classroom. 16 A4 sheets to print for your classroom, therapy space or home.
Not all Lycra is created equal, and when it comes to sensory tools, quality matters. Premium Lycra takes sensory support to the next level, offering superior comfort, durability, and unmatched benefits for children with sensory needs and learning challenges.
From body socks to tunnels and bed sheets, discover why investing in high-quality materials can make a significant difference in...
Looking to boost hand strength, improve dexterity, or find a calming sensory tool? Therapy putty is a versatile solution that can help with all of these, and so much more!
In our latest blog, we dive into the many benefits of therapy putty, plus share 20 creative and easy ways to use it for strengthening and stress relief! Perfect for...
Understanding phonics is essential for helping children learn to read and spell effectively. Our latest blog dives into the versatile letter 'y' and its four distinct sounds, offering practical strategies and tips for mastering these phonics rules step by step.
With easy-to-follow explanations and engaging techniques, you'll find that learning and teaching phonics can be both fun and rewarding. Join...
Discover creative and effective ways to maximise the benefits of your Lycra Body Sock. From sensory regulation to imaginative play, explore 20 innovative activities that enhance body awareness, coordination, and relaxation.
Perfect for sensory integration therapy, these ideas provide deep pressure input, helping individuals feel more grounded and centred. Whether you're a parent or a therapist, our guide...
Even though we know games are valuable, sometimes we simply run out of time in our sessions.
Games are a simple yet effective way to end on a positive note and a great opportunity to strengthen bonds with your students, all while learning!
If you find yourself with only a few minutes left to fit a fun game in,...
Dive into the world of early literacy instruction with our latest blog post featuring Coko Educational Bricks! Follow Kirstie as she uncovers the innovative methods that are transforming the way we teach and learn language and literacy.
Click here to explore the full story and unlock the potential of Coko Educational Bricks.
Navigating the challenges of post-school meltdowns and hyperactivity is a common concern for parents. However, with the right strategies, we can support our child's emotional regulation and well-being. From routines to sensory techniques, each tactic contributes to creating a supportive environment for your child.
Join us as we explore practical solutions to ease the transition from school to home,...
When it comes to early start NDIS plans, you may find that not all children are allocated funding under the CORE category. The shift in funding allocation has left many families in a predicament, as they struggle to secure the necessary resources to support their children.
However, there is hope. You might be able to request an allocation...
Developing good handwriting is a valuable and practical skill. When you can write effortlessly, your work becomes legible and efficient, enabling you to focus on the content rather than the physical act of writing.
However, for left-handed students, achieving mastery in handwriting can be more challenging.
In this blog post, we'll showcase the top tips for...
Confusing the letters b and d is a common issue for many learners.  Whether it is mixing up b’s and d’s in reading or writing, or both, as parents and educators, it is important to address this early.
In this blog, Kirstie explains 'why' it is important and lists the strategies that she uses to help learners master their b’s and d’s in the Starfish tutoring...
In early childhood education, teaching the alphabet is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for reading and writing.
However, the order in which the letters are taught can greatly impact a child's learning progress.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of teaching the alphabet in a particular order, provide practical tips on how...
Flashcards are a versatile and effective tool for teaching phonics. They are a simple and engaging way to introduce and reinforce letter sounds and word recognition skills.
In this blog, we will explore the benefits of using flashcards for phonics learning and provide practical tips for making the most of this valuable teaching tool.
As parents and teachers, we understand the importance of fostering early development in our little ones. Games are not only a fun activity, but they provide numerous developmental benefits.
From improving social skills to enhancing cognitive abilities, games offer a well-rounded learning experience for children.
Join Kirstie (M.Ed Special Education) as she talks you through some her top...
Learning to tell the time is an important life skill and it is a good way to promote self esteem & confidence. Many children struggle learning to tell the time, especially on an analogue clock. That doesn’t have to be the case, though.
You can make the process fun and easy by sticking to these three easy steps!
There are very few things (if any) more important for a child’s development than sleep. Sleep is essential for growth, brain health and overall wellbeing.
Poor sleep, or lack of sleep entirely, can be one of the biggest contributors leading to a child under achieving or struggling to reach their educational goals and developmental milestones.
So what can we do?
Ever heard of the term 'Sensory Safe Space'? If you haven't, we're here to shed some light onÂ
what we believe can be a life line for those with sensory disorders.
Find out what we mean by 'sensory safe' and how we can prepare to host someone with sensory challenges.
Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. Technology is vital for staying connected, but what we can do is learn to manage screen time responsibly.
Games are an ideal solution. There are so many great, screen-free games to keep children entertained that are just as easy to pop in the bag or car, here's some of our...
Face masks. A hot topic. And one that could be with us for some time yet. These are strange times for us as adults. Imagine what it is like for our children. We are all trying to find ways to live and function in what is the 'new normal'.
Here at Starfish, we often say synthetic phonics is the bread & butter of our reading program.
Phonics is the Bread, blending is the Butter.
Lycra Tunnels. We love them. With these fantastic sensory tools being the featured product of the month, we figured what better time to share some ideas with you on the best ways to make use of these stretchy tubes of fun!
