I enjoy teaching kids to do Sudoko puzzles. Many children don’t want to try them at first because they think are math problems. The first thing I explain is that no math is involved. Sudoko puzzles use logic and reasoning skills which many kids lack or need to develop. I only tell them about the logic part – not that they lack skills!
For children you want to start with easy puzzles. While the basic Sudoko has 9 squares of the numbers 1 through 9, you can find simple ones with 4 squares of one through four. You can also find Sudoko puzzles that use shapes or colors instead of numbers. I like to start with the simple 4 square one for easy explanation. I explain that there can only be one number 3 in each row, in each column and in each square. I continue by explaining there can only be one of each number in each row, column and square. I let the children help me figure out what can’t be in the row. There’s already a 1, and a 2, and a 4. What does that number have to be?
Many kids think they should guess, but I explain that guessing is not the right way to solve the puzzle. When they write down a number, they should be able to explain why that square has to be that number. If you want to write down what the number possibilities are for each square and mark them off, that’s okay too. Many electronic versions allow you to type tiny numbers in the block for that very reason.
And yes, you can find Sudoko online, in puzzle books, or in many newspapers. You can also buy handheld Sudoko games and even board and card games that feature the puzzle. The harder puzzles are a good mental workout for parents, and grandparents. For kids you want the puzzles to be challenging, without being frustrating.
So sharpen your pencils and challenge those thinking skills. I promise – it’s fun!
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