Spatial toys, such as blocks and puzzles, are more than just a fun game for children. In fact, children develop their cognitive skills significantly when playing with these toys. A study published in Psychological Science discovered that kids who often play with blocks and puzzles are likely to have enhanced spatial reasoning ability.

1. fd
[INSERT IMAGE HERE][INSERT IMAGE HERE]
Play'n'Learn
Playing with Blocks
and Puzzles Could
Develop Children's
Spatial Skills

2. Spatial toys, such as blocks and puzzles, are more than just a fun game for children. In
fact, children develop their cognitive skills significantly when playing with these toys. A
study published in Psychological Science discovered that kids who often play with blocks
and puzzles are likely to have enhanced spatial reasoning ability.
Access to Spatial Play Experiences Boosts Spatial Development
Researchers examined data from 847 children ages four to seven who took the revised
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). They also analysed
survey data from parents regarding joint parent-child activities and the children’s play
behaviour.
The data revealed a connection between the frequency that children played with spatial
toys and their spatial reasoning skills. Kids who played with blocks, puzzles, and board
games more than six times a week garnered higher block design scores than children
who played with them less than six times a week. Lead researcher and psychological
scientist Jamie Jirout says that the finding is important because giving children access
to spatial play experiences may be a simple way to enhance spatial development.

3. Additional Benefits of Playing with Blocks and Puzzles
Apart from boosting spatial reasoning skills, playing with blocks and puzzles also
enhances other skills. An article by Parenting Science says that playing with blocks may
train kids to think creatively and be better at solving divergent problems. Block play may
also help improve a child’s math skills. Researcher Brian Verdine and his colleagues
found a correlation between complex block play during the preschool years and higher
math achievement in high school.
Additionally, kids who play with puzzles can improve their physical and cognitive skills.
Puzzles develop specific skills, such as hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. Child
development experts also note that puzzle play helps kids learn to persevere and be
patient.
Jirout says that the study has the potential to be used in practical applications for
anyone who has an influence on or interacts with kid’s access to toys and play
experiences, such as childcare providers, teachers, parents and toy companies.

4. Resources:
http://www.parentingscience.com/toy-blocks.html
https://education.govt.nz/early-childhood/teaching-and-learning/learning-tools-and-
resources/play-ideas/puzzles/
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/playing-with-puzzles-and-blocks-
may-build-childrens-spatial-skills.html#.WUuKjlEqvIV
http://playnlearn.co.nz/