Patience + Perseverance + Problem Solving = Puzzle Time!

Funded Dec 18, 2017

A simple thank you can not communicate what these puzzle sets have meant to progress in our classroom. When the boxes arrived, each child wanted a role in opening, placing, and organizing the materials. Behaviors that are often intrusive, angry and disruptive were replaced with "please can I help" and "who likes us so much?" words coupled with actions of careful unpacking and gentle manipulation. When we first started instituting "Focus Time", which involves 15 minutes of timed puzzle building, frustrations were evident and confidences were low. But day after day the kids persist and use skills taught to them at other times: look for another way, take a breath and try again, positive self talk, and stick with it.

We do Focus Time each day with our puzzles. Each day the kids are enthusiastic as if it was their first time seeing them. When a visitor comes in I often hear them say, " I use to get so mad at those puzzles. Now I don't because I learned to try, try again. Want to see?" These are life lessons for our littlest learners who are in a placement due to grave trauma and difficulty with self love and emotional regulation.

Please know that my students have some difficult stories to tell but YOU, by donating these puzzles,have added a page to their story that tells of love and care. I showed them your website and told them so many people at the Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation want you to feel confident and in control of your actions so they sent us these puzzles to help practice those things.

From all of us, the littlest to the grown ups, we thank you for taking the time to find our project and donate the supplies that every single day make a difference in the growth of a child.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Carrozzi