Boost Your Child’s Brainpower With Sudoku!
By Lindsay Small, Fri Dec 9th
In less than a year the Sudoku bug has infected huge numbers ofthe UK population, and it is fast spreading across the world!Why has a simple logic puzzle become so popular, and how canyour kids benefit?
Sudoku puzzles were first published in the US in the 1970s andare sometimes known as “Number Squares”. They have been popularfor many years in Japan, where the name “Sudoku” (meaning”single number”) was coined. The current craze was started latein 2004 when a UK newspaper started publishing the puzzles.Within weeks the puzzles were picked up in other newspapers andSudoku became the pastime of choice for commuters, parents - andeven kids!
From a parent’s point of view, Sudoku puzzles are perfect forlong journeys, waiting rooms, and rainy afternoons. They arebeing found more and more in the classroom as teachers wake upto their benefits and use them as time-fillers for children whofinish early, as whole class activity, or as “homework”. Indeed,the UK government-produced Teachers magazine has recommendedthat Sudoku puzzles are used in the classroom as brain exercise!
As well as developing your child’s logic and reasoning skillsand concentration, Sudoku puzzles, if done at the right level,build your child’s confidence. Children of all abilities enjoythe challenge of a Sudoku puzzle, if the puzzle isage-appropriate. Bear in mind that many of the puzzles publishedin newspapers are too difficult for younger children, so it isworth seeking out puzzles made especially for kids. Children asyoung as five years old can try the 4×4 grids, then build up tothe 6×6 grids and finally the traditional 9×9 grid.
Why are Sudoku so appealing? Firstly, although Sudoku gridsusually use numbers, your child does not need mathematicalskills to solve the puzzles - only logic. Using logicalreasoning appropriate to his/her age, your child decides how toplace numbers into a Sudoku grid. There is only one correctanswer for each puzzle, no guessing is necessary, and the rulesare easy to learn. The more puzzles you do, the better youbecome. Each puzzle typically takes a child about 20-30 minutesto complete, and gives them a real sense of satisfaction whenfinished!
And that, really, is the secret of their popularity. You feelgood when you finish one! And then you want to try another one,and another ….
About the author:Lindsay Small is the owner of Activity Village, packed full offun and educational activities for kids. Do you have childrenaged 2-10? Visit http://ww.ActivityVillage.co.uk to find freekids crafts, printables, educational resources, worksheets,coloring pages and puzzles, jigsaws and, of course, Sudokupuzzles!
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September 6th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
if you are into Sudoku you shall check out Kakuro which is a new puzzle game that’s getting popular lately
October 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding Kid Crossword Puzzle, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong
November 13th, 2007 at 11:41 am
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