Mumsnet Talk

DS2 is about to turn 3 and there's xmas too of course, I'd like to buy him several puzzle-type things as a) he loves them and b) they are the one thing that has been recommended to help his speech. Anyone suggest any fab ones? I've borrowed some wooden french ones from the toy library which involve creating different things like flowers/people with the bits but can't seem to find anything online that's similar. Letterbox have some interesting ones but just wanted to ask on here if anyone had any experience. DP and I absolutely don't mind spending a bit for ds's benefit, we're desperate for his speech to improve. And he adores doing anything puzzly anyway!

I'm in the same position DS was 3 at the end of Oct and has a speech delay. He too loves puzzles and you've got me thinking now. I've seen this and like it. I'll come back if I find any more.

xx

here

I love the Giant Floor (jigsaw) Puzzles, by Galt. The Dinosaur and Construction site ones are particularly good.

They are very sturdy, and some of the pieces are entire objects, like the dinosaurs, so the child can do the puzzle easily and play with these pieces separately, as well (like drawing round them for instance).

The Galt puzzles sound great another thing to add to DS christmas list.

some links to a bunch of lovely puzzles on amazon www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=john+crane+puzzles&tag=googhydr-21&index=toys&hvadid=4126882603 &ref=pd_sl_6lgpbo8hik_e

george luck and chelona do nice ones. My DS was also a language delayed and puzzle loving 3 year old - now his 5, his language is much better and he's a lot less interested in puzzles!

Thanks all, I think I've actually bought him a George Luck one a couple of months ago - they're beautiful, might buy another of those.
Was eying off this ELC one which comes in a lovely tin, even cheaper with 20% off. And the Orchard Toy ones are pretty good when I was browsing amazon just now. I was hoping I might find a 3 for 2 for Orchard Toys are their games are excellent. Was going to order some other stuff from Bright Minds, but hadn't seen that one thanks chuckeyegg.
Oh dear about to spend even more on his budget for xmas/birthday!

In case you want to get the cube puzzle I've found it cheaper on Amazon

here

that ELC monsters one looks great fun! Occassionally waterstones include the Orchard Toys stuff on their 3 for 2s, not all the time though. Ravensburger brand puzzles are usually good quality, DS had a very nice 2 X 20 piece Noah's Ark one.

As an SLT student I used Orchard Toys games and the ideas within the games a lot in my therapy sessions. I was particularly fond of the Shopping List game as it targets listening, attention and working memory - and don't forget that these skills actually lie beneath the word/ sound level so are worth working on. (but you could just do the same with plastic food and a shopping basket).

The Two by Two game is also good for vocabulary and visual memory.

Otherwise it doesn't really matter what puzzle you do - what is more important is that you are talking about what you are doing while you are playing together and reinforce his attempts at speech and provide him with a model for speech sounds.

(But if you are worried and haven't already done so an assessment from an SLT might be worthwhile).

thanks all esp quiltedrose, that's really good to know. He's seeing a SALT, just giving it a few months at present to see if his speech improves. We have the shopping list game already which he likes playing, must get it out more!

Thanks from me too, I've got some more things to get DS for xmas. I've been looking at the Orchard toys.