Day and Night

Day and Night - Great beginner puzzle

 

The goal of Day and Night is to create 3D models on top of the dowel stand from 2D patterns. A children's theme, bright colors, and sturdy wooden pieces have made this game popular with kids.

The pattern book is spiral bound and stands on its own. It has 48 challenges that advance in difficulty, adding more pieces as the puzzles progress. Not all puzzles will use all 10 pieces. Each pattern is shown in full color (day) and then in silhouette (night). The patterns are printed back-to-back so that after you complete the day you can flip over and build the silhouette, and after you build the silhouette you can flip over and check your results against the day version. I have used this a lot and it is holding up very well. A great puzzle for beginners.

SmartGames is a brand that makes a lot of one-person logic games that also help build visual perceptual skills over multiple challenges that increase in difficulty as you go. If you would like to read more about these kid-friendly fun games, check out my post called One-Player SmartGames.

If you would like to read more about one-person logic puzzles, check out my post What's in Your Therapy Box? Logic Puzzles Edition. 

Try this:

• Start with the full color size of the puzzle book. After the individual is familiar with the shapes, then go to the silhouette side. It may be difficult for some to separate the pieces on the silhouette side. For instance, in the picture above, there is a circular shaped piece on the far right which is really composed to two different pieces.
• Cover the dowels not being used with your hand if the child becomes confused as to where he should be adding pieces.
• Start by setting pieces needed in the correct orientation on the table. After the child is able to build the models, set the pieces in different orientations to increase difficulty.
• Problem solve a puzzle as the individual watches, especially when working with the silhouette side where they may not be able to separate the pieces in their mind. Talk out loud as you go to model the problem solving process.
• If the individual has difficulty orienting a piece correctly, place it for them as they watch. Then remove it, rotate it, and give it back to them to place.
• Use consistent positional language. Instead of saying, above, on top of, over, etc., choose one term and use it consistently. As the individual learns, then add in variations.
• Cover the dowels in the pattern book so that only the one that is being built is showing for those who have difficulty isolating it out from the background.
• Put the pieces on the opposite side of the dominant hand to encourage crossing over to pick up.
• Work on spatial relations, visual discrimination, visual closure, visual form constancy, visualization, manual dexterity, coordinated use of both hands, in-hand manipulation, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: Wooden base with 3 dowels, 10 wooden pieces, pattern book

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.