Learning about spatial relationships — like understanding shapes, sizes, and how objects fit together — helps children develop stronger numerical skills. Research shows that activities such as ball games, building with blocks or solving puzzles can improve mathematical thinking.
Improving children’s spatial skills may have positive impacts on their future success in STEM disciplines, not only by improving spatial thinking but also by enhancing the numerical skills, says Elizabeth Gunderson from University of Chicago (1).
Spacial awareness can be nurtured and trained, and is particularly important in early childhood (2, 4). For example, quantity and quality of puzzle play was linked to performance in spacial awareness tasks (3). Even using spacial language like “left“, “right“, “between“ in everyday activities can encourage spacial thinking and therefore improve spacial skills.
Here’s some toys and games to support your child’s spacial skills development.
A fun and simple game for teaching children about spatial relationships, where they must correctly place the figures on the board to reproduce the picture.
50 pieces of natural wooden construction set. Includes guide with 18 models to build.
Cube puzzles are great to manipulate, stack or create images. Bright colours and fun characters are perfect for kids 18m+.
More challenging cube puzzle for grown up kids.
A 3D puzzle aiming to further develop spacial awareness. A player needs to put a cube together from a starting position on one of the 60 cards.
Kioukoi toy is an observation and sorting game where children use shape criteria to group objects together. Choose one of the basic shapes and place only matching cards inside the box.
Puzzles are a fun but effective way to develop spacial awareness skills. We have some of the most beautiful and age-appropriate puzzles in our collection.
Djeco Leo Panda puzzle (3+ years)
Moulin Roty 4 seasons mini puzzles (3+ years)
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