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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

The OT Magazine named The Playful Otter one of the Top 5 Pediatric OT Blogs.


Jun 19, 2016

Junior Princess Puzzleball

Ravensburger Junior Princess Puzzleball - A two-handed jigsaw puzzle.

 If you want to increase the challenge of an old standby, try a Ravensburger Junior Puzzleball. Each piece is numbered on the back. Start with piece #1 and work your way up to # 96 to complete a Pretty Princess Puzzleball.

Pieces are curved, plastic, and take a good pinch to snap together. It does not come with the form that the 24 piece Ravensburger Puzzleball has, that allows you to build over it. Therefore, it will take some coordination to hold the ball while snapping pieces onto it. After the ball starts to come together you can rest it on the base as you work and that will help. Kids enjoy seeing a puzzle come together as a ball. For a greater challenge, don't look at the numbers as you assemble it.

Ravensburger Puzzleballs come with different numbers of pieces. Their Globe Puzzleball looks cool, although I don't have it. The Christmas Puzzleball ornament set looks fun too (also don't have it). 

Ravensburger is my favorite puzzle brand. To read why, or if you want tips on helping kids learn to assemble puzzles, check out my post Tips for Assembling Jigsaw Puzzles.

Try this:
  • Pick up a piece and turn it in-hand to orient for placement.
  • Sort pieces into piles of 10 and work a pile at a time. Harder than having the pieces already in order by number, easier than working it with no help from numbers.
  • Work on visual closure, spatial relations, visual discrimination, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, finger strength, in-hand manipulation, coordinated use of both hands, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box 96 puzzle pieces, 4 plastic puzzle guide pieces, plastic stand
For more information or to purchase, click on the image below.


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