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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

2.5 year old can’t do puzzles

31 replies

Dahliasings91 · 21/06/2025 18:22

Title sums it up. 2.5 boy has some easy puzzles mainly 4 pieces. I’ve been trying to do these with him on and off for the last 6m and he’s not getting it at all. Is this normal? Not usually one to compare but these seem like really basic puzzles compared to what other children his age can do

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Yourethebeerthief · 23/06/2025 13:06

REDB99 · 23/06/2025 10:23

Nice way to get a stealth brag in about your child 🙄
The bike example was AN EXAMPLE of an activity that some kids pick up later than others, my post did not suggest that the OP’s child SHOULD be interested in bikes!
Would you like me to give another example of an activity that some children pick up later than others so that you can finally understand my post?
Or would you like me to tell you about what my DD was the ONLY child doing at 2 and a half so we can turn this into a braggy thread about our children?

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Eh? Are you quite well?

I am saying the OP doesn’t need to worry. My child was unusually young at riding a pedal bike. That’s just his thing. But as I said in my previous post he’s far behind other kids his age in other areas. They’re all different.

You alright? You’re awful upset about nothing at all.

Yourethebeerthief · 23/06/2025 13:08

Dahliasings91 · 23/06/2025 10:14

We know a lot of 2 and 3 year olds and I would say the majority are scooting on scooters. The bikes not so much. I think my issue is that a lot of the things that children around us are doing, he isn’t interested in or can’t do. At little kickers we had the same where in an entire class of kids his age he stood out like a sore thumb and struggled with any of the kicking / physical activities or to follow any instruction. Where his gross motor has been flagged in two checks it does worry me a bit.

The basic jigsaws I know require different skills as not as dependent on gross motor. He will be 3 in October so will see things may change by then.

Just keep an eye on him OP but don’t overly worry. You know kids who are all interested in scooters etc but honestly, we know so many his age who just aren’t. It comes with time, and if it doesn’t come at all it might just not be his thing. Definitely don’t be worrying about jigsaw puzzles. He’s so young.

catin8oot5 · 23/06/2025 13:09

My oldest was a freak. He was doing big puzzles upside down (no picture) from a tiny age.

youngest couldn’t have stuck 2 bits together for years.

they’re both totally normal 25 and 15 now so don’t stress yourself x

Interested in this thread?

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2 year olds Behaviour & development Families Games

Original poster

Dahliasings91 · 23/06/2025 13:12

Thanks all much appreciated!

OP posts:

JustAMum35 · 23/06/2025 13:27

@Dahliasings91 It’s so hard not to compare OP - we’ve all been there 😊

DS is now 4.5 and has absolutely loved jigsaws since he was about 2. He can now do jigsaws better than my husband 😂
BUT…there are so many things that other kids seem to love that he just isn’t interested in - scooters, nursery rhymes of any kind, drawing etc. He hated any clubs or classes at your DCs age. And other kids 🫠

At 4.5 he still loves building, loves counting, is fab at problem solving, now enjoys going to classes. Still hates scooters and drawing!

They really are all different 😊 and they change constantly!

Definitely keep an eye on the motor skills if it’s been flagged at checks but I wouldn’t worry about anything at this stage 😊 if you use Instagram, look up the “an activity a day” page. She’s a mum who is also an early years teacher and shows loads of easy activity’s that can help developing fine motor skills etc 😊
Also, with the clubs (little kickers etc) just keep exposing him to different things! DS does gymnastics twice a week now and has just started drama. Tried 2 different football classes and he just wasn’t into it at all. Was more interested in just causing absolute chaos 🫠

BertieBotts · 23/06/2025 17:34

Well if there have been multiple flags then you could speak to your GP or health visitor and see if they would suggest any kind of intervention. There can often be a waiting list for these things so it's useful to ask about it at an earlier point than keep on with a "wait and see" approach. There are benefits to a wait and see approach but only if you have the option of timely access to services, which unfortunately isn't really a thing any more.

That is not to say that you are doing something wrong because children do all develop at their own pace and most get there on their own time. It's purely just because of the way the system works for developmental support in the UK - it does benefit to be the squeaky wheel as early as possible more than just waiting and seeing what happens, unfortunately.

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