Puzzles can vary in difficulty in a number of ways:

• the size of the puzzle pieces
• the number of pieces
• the simplicity or complexity of the picture (see the difference between this zoo puzzle and the Princess on the Horse)
• the detail in the picture (it is easier to match pieces with line and shape than pieces that are just one colour)

To keep your child interested and for maximum enjoyment, always try and choose puzzle pictures that appeal to your child or that they can relate to. A child who is crazy about dinosaurs will be more inclined to build a dinosaur puzzle than an aeroplane, for example.

Remember to keep building your child’s confidence little by little so that they become committed puzzlers who derive great satisfaction from their puzzle building efforts. They will also spend more time puzzle building if you are building with them too.