ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE
Connecting with nature can be done indoors. Yep. Consider watching the birds from your window or reading a book on bird behavior. In fact, we can readily connect with nature in many ways. Consider sketching, painting, journaling, photography, and even games and puzzles.
When it’s wet and cold outside consider setting up a family puzzle table. We have an amazing selection of puzzles, playing cards and matching games available for old and young alike. Birds. Bears. Bees. Butterflies. BWCA.
There are many benefits to putting together puzzles:
- Improves critical thinking skills.
- Improves attention span.
- Improves cognition.
- Improves fine motor skills.
- Improves problem solving skills.
- Improves concentration.
- Improves short term memory.
- Improves reasoning.
- Improves hand and eye coordination.
- Reinforces connections between brain cells.
- Creates new connections between brain cells.
- Helps seniors relax.
- Increases production of dopamine.
- Provides social interaction.
- Eases symptoms associated with dementia.
- Lowers heart rate. Eases stress and anxiety.
- Provides a feeling of accomplishment, common ground, and a common goal.
- Benefits of Puzzles: Science-Backed Benefits of Puzzling; September 13, 2023 Zina Harrington
- The Benefit of Puzzles for the Brain; January 27, 2023 Progress Lifeline
Steps to puzzle building: things you should know
- Set up your puzzle on a flat surface that’s big enough to hold your finished product.
- Sort the pieces by color. Keep them flat and face up.
- Find the edge pieces and corner pieces first. Arrange all the corner pieces in a square, then add the rest of the edge pieces.
- Connect the edge pieces first.
- Use the image on the box as a reference.
- Take breaks.
- Take your time.
- Invite friends and family to join in.
- A puzzle table can be set up for ongoing use in a common space.
Stop in and check out our selection of nature-related puzzles and games.
By Eagan Store Manager ANN MCCARTHY
