The Effectiveness of Brain Training

 Brain training games have become very popular in recent years along with all the topics regarding brain training and its importance in our lives. Brain training is particularly helpful in improving our brainpower and cognitive development and enhancing our memory. If our brains never got any training, they'd become very stagnant and passive.

As we get older, our memory tends to decrease and our mind doesn’t seem to be quite as sharp as when we were younger. Most of us just attribute this to the aging process. While aging can cause these changes, brain training can help to slow the process down and keep our brain fresh and young. Here is an example of why braining training can be very important to our lives.

A student is very good at math in school. It's actually his favorite subject because he finds it so easy. Once he gets out of school, he gets a job where he seldom has to do any problems.

When math is required, it's done automatically on a computer. After a few years of this, he's asked to help his son with math.

Suddenly, he discovers math is not coming to him as naturally as it once did. Is it because he's older or because his brain hasn't had any mathematical challenges in many years? Once he begins helping his son with his math every day, he begins retraining his brain on how to do math and it begins coming back to him. This is how brain training can help us in other areas of our lives as well.

The purpose of braining training is to keep our memories refreshed and our minds challenged with new ideas, thoughts and challenges. Helping his son with problems he hadn't done in years provided his brain with some much needed training and stimulation. His brain had to think.

While you may think your brain is working every minute of the day, it's only really working when you're requiring it to think, particularly about something new or different.

This is why doing puzzles, playing Chess, or Sudoku and other mind boggling puzzles can be such an excellent form of brain training. The purpose of brain training is to give the brain work to do, and games and puzzles will definitely give your brain a workout. Another purpose of brain training is to help develop our brain fitness and improve our cognitive development, which is responsible for us learning things and developing throughout life.

 

Stop Getting 1,000 Yard Stares After Giving Directions

I’d recommend that prior to giving your students’ directions you first get their undivided attention. I personally have used several different methods, but the one I’ve used most is raising my hand and/or ringing a bell--sometimes both. Then after sufficient wait time (about 5 seconds) I would begin giving the direction.

I always gave one direction at a time—this is very, very important. Let me give you an example. First, I‘d say boys and girls please get out your math book. Then I’d wait until all children had their math book on their desks. Next, I would say open to page whatever it was. Again, wait until all children have turned to the proper page. Next, I’d say work problems such and such. Now, you may thinking oh my gosh, this is going to take forever. I assure you that it won’t, and you’ll be surprised to see how much time you’ll actually save. 

Instead of Johnny saying what book you want me to get out, and Sarah asking you what page do we go to, and Ron asking you what are the problems we are working on; you can eliminate all of that by just giving one direction at a time, and waiting until all of your students are right there with you. It works!

Then by all means check for understanding by having students turn to a partner and rephrase the directions, or having a student repeat the directions back to you.  If you have a student who has difficulty following directions, then making eye-contact when giving the directions, and teacher proximity will greatly help.

Inexpensive Ways To Reward Students

I’ve often got asked what are some inexpensive ways that I could reward my students. Obviously, new teachers don’t have a lot of money to keep their treasure chest overflowing with super cool stuff. But you know there are many things that you could do for your students that don’t cost any money. Well, for starters one thing might be to let well-behaved students work with a friend for a period of time, or to sit in a special place in the classroom. Another thing would be to put special notes on students’ desks; or simply drop them in the mail — your kiddos will love getting mail.

Now, another thing would be to make weekly positive phone calls home. What I used to do was pick two students every single week and call home with a positive message. Let me tell you parents really loved this. As a matter of fact, I’d have parents tell me that that’s never happen to them before. Just think about this, parents are mostly used to just getting bad news as opposed to good news. I am here to tell you that this tip has paid off in terms of fostering positive home-school connections.

Another kind of reward would be to encourage your students to complement one another. Lastly, the teacher could give a thumbs-up, a handshake, or just have the class “sparkle” for the one being congratulated.

There you have it, one doesn’t have to spend a bunch of money to reward students. I’m sure if your brainstormed the idea you could come up with many other ways!

Please share if you have any other ideas as to rewarding your students without spending money.

Purpose of Brain Training

 Brain training games have become very popular in recent years along with all the topics regarding brain training and its importance in our lives. Brain training is particularly helpful in improving our brainpower and cognitive development and enhancing our memory. If our brains never got any training, they'd become very stagnant and passive.

 As we get older, our memory tends to decrease and our mind doesn’t seem to be quite as sharp as when we were younger. Most of us just attribute this to the aging process. While aging can cause these changes, brain training can help to slow the process down and keep our brain fresh and young. Here is an example of why braining training can be very important to our lives.

 

A student is very good at math in school. It's actually his favorite subject because he finds it so easy. Once he gets out of school, he gets a job where he seldom has to do any problems.

When math is required, it's done automatically on a computer. After a few years of this, he's asked to help his son with math.

 

Suddenly, he discovers math is not coming to him as naturally as it once did. Is it because he's older or because his brain hasn't had any mathematical challenges in many years? Once he begins helping his son with his math every day, he begins retraining his brain on how to do math and it begins coming back to him. This is how brain training can help us in other areas of our lives as well.

 The purpose of braining training is to keep our memories refreshed and our minds challenged with new ideas, thoughts and challenges. Helping his son with problems he hadn't done in years provided his brain with some much needed training and stimulation. His brain had to think.

While you may think your brain is working every minute of the day, it's only really working when you're requiring it to think, particularly about something new or different.

 This is why doing puzzles, playing Chess, or Sudoku and other mind boggling puzzles can be such an excellent form of brain training. The purpose of brain training is to give the brain work to do, and games and puzzles will definitely give your brain a workout. Another purpose of brain training is to help develop our brain fitness and improve our cognitive development, which is

responsible for us learning things and developing throughout life.

Why it's important to train our brains

 For as much as we believe we train our brains and give them a good workout, we seldom actually do it on a regular basis. In most cases, our brains are not used in a balanced way. We're creatures of habit. We find a way to do things that we consider comfortable and we seldom change our ways.

 Many of the physical activities we perform each day are done with one side of our body, without even giving it much though. If we're not giving something much thought, we're not exercising or training our brains.

We also get very set in the way we feel emotionally about things or people, which does not give our brains much stimulation or cause for thought. These are not things we consciously set out to do in our lives but rather habits that have developed because of the way our brains function, mostly because of genetics. For instance, it's not our choice to be right handed. It just happens that way, and we seldom give it much thought.

 We are also the result of year's old biological factors that affect our skills, moods and social habits. Our brains and brain functions are also the result of our culture and upbringing. Although many of us argue the old nature versus nurture theory, studies indicate that training our brains to be more active can play an important role in how we act, feel and how successful we are in life.

 It makes sense that someone that works at solving word or mathematical problems every day is going to have more brain activity than someone does that sleeps half the day and watches cartoons the other half. The more we work our brains, the better our brains are going to work for us.

 

While there's a strong belief that brain training is beneficial for individuals that may suffer from poor memory or lack of concentration, brain training is actually recommended for anyone with a brain. Our brains needs steady stimulation to become motivated to work for us in the way we need it to work.

 

Brain training has been used for patients with learning disabilities, insomnia, cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, attention deficit and more. It's been known to help people improve their focus and concentration.

 Brain training therapists feel that brain training exercises are highly beneficial in keeping our brains young and healthy. Many brain training games are now on the market. While the games may not be scientifically proven or endorsed, the users feel they have made a real difference in their lives.

 

More Benefits of Brain Games

 Maintains Social Bonds

Some of us play crosswords when we have nothing to do. In short, it’s the best pass time activity for many people. But have you ever thought about playing this game with a bunch of your friends?

 

Studies have shown that solving crossword puzzles in groups is highly beneficial to the functionality level of your brain. While you solve a puzzle in a group, your speed of thinking and talking enhances. This also strengthens the social bonds and manages disputes if any.

 

We all have heard the famous saying – “Two and two makes four.”

 

So, next time when you stuck somewhere call a bunch of your favorite pals and start puzzling away!

 Improves Mental Health

People nowadays are quite busy in building their muscles. And indeed it’s a good thing. But how many of you focus on maintaining your mental health?

What is Mental Health?

 Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It impacts how one thinks, feels, and reactions under various circumstances.

 Why is Mental Health Important?

 Each one of us wants to live a happy life. Here are some ways our mental health impacts our overall lifestyle:

●               Boosts your interpersonal relationships

●               Encourages positive thinking.

●               Higher Productivity

●               Better Performance

 Thus, when we are free of depression, stress and anxiety, we are better equipped to lead a

happier life.

Now, coming to our main objective – How exactly can playing crosswords improve our mental health?

 

Many researchers have discovered the positive effects that word search puzzles has on our mental health.

 

When your brain keeps working on a continuous basis the cells are activated. One important factor in doing adult board games is the ability to think creatively.

 

It’s a brain consuming activity. Involving yourself in such activity elevates your analytical and cognitive skills to a very healthy level.

  Eradicates Brain Diseases

 Studies suggest that these brain teasers are actually helpful for people suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

 

Haven’t heard about Dementia and Alzheimer’s before? Have a quick look at the brief explanation below:

 What is Dementia?

 Dementia is a group of symptoms that reduces a person’s memory and other thinking skills. A person may suffer the loss of behavioral abilities, affecting the activities in his routine life.

 What is Alzheimer’s?

 Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. This neurological disease causes problems with a person’s memory, thinking, and behavior.

 

Around 44 million people worldwide are living with these two brain diseases. The majority of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are 65 years of age or older.

It has become a global health emergency that needs to be taken care of.

 Then How Do You Prevent Dementia?

It has been said that learning a second or third language helps in delaying the onset of these Brain diseases. For some, it might be an interesting thing to do but others won’t find it captivating.

What Else Can I Do To Fight This?

 The Truth About Crosswords and Dementia

There are lots of researches going on, and some are inconclusive at this point, but we must trust logic.

 

Indulging in any cognitive activity activates the cells of our brain. When you think, you are exercising your brain. When you solve crossword puzzles, you are memorizing things. This act of involving in brain tasks is really helpful to prevent yourselves from Dementia.

 

Thus, people suffering from such diseases should indulge in brain activities. Other forms of brain games such as playing crossword puzzles, sudoku, chess etc. are also suggested as

valuable alternatives to help them combat these diseases.

 

Challenging Brain Games

Challenging Brain Games are sometimes fun to explore. While the puzzles present challenges they intend to encourage your mind to take part in solving problems. When you mind learns to solve problems you will find life is much easier. Rather than running from problems you will learn how to take life’s challenges with welcoming arms and head them on.

 

How challenging Brain Games open the mind:

Can you turn the word Navy into Army? Start by changing one letter at a time. Navy - Nave - Name - Same - Came - Rave - Rams - Rim - Maim - Arm - Army

 

You can come up with your own words to complete the puzzle. There is no right or wrong, so try to come up with some ideas of your own. Now try to solve the Terse Verse puzzle below.

He ran to the beach

 H I A B R E V I G

E C M T O T Y W O E A O Y C H U M E O M C E C A C S O W E T E R A P R A C K E B E A C K W S P R K E T O T H S K I R T A O F O E W Y K W C T O H E R N T C H F O

Look at the puzzle, find “he ran to the beach,” and then continue to find the rhyme that completes the puzzle. Take a few minutes and think about a rhyme that best fits the puzzle. Once you find the rhyming parts to complete the puzzle, next create a new vocabulary from the puzzle, picking out as many words as you can and then write a new sentence. The sentence does not have to rhyme.

 

Hi - he - of - give - am - me - so - wet - go - tot - speech - to - rap - beck - beach - oar - bee -we - my - pare - skirt - at - par - came - hum - ran - he - woe -

Answer:

To give a speech:

  

Brain Games Substituting

 Brain Games pop in many forms. The puzzles invented to get you to open your mind to proposition. To assist you with understanding Brain Games we can review a few types of mind busters to see how well you do. In the chapter, you will have resolves, but we encourage you to avoid snooping. Rather, try to reveal the puzzle on your own.

 

Rather than using the right or the socialist side of the encephalon, the Brain Games use tactics to inspire both sides of the medulla oblongata. A person can enjoy Brain Games most times, but some mortals feel frustrated, since the puzzles pose problems. Since many humans want to shun complications, consequently Brain Games give you confidence to face the problems head on and to search at all areas of the problem so that you can find ways to analyze it.

 

You have several types of Brain Games available. Online are web sites that offer free puzzles, including mind busters, number puzzles, Cryptography, riddles, trivia, and many other type of Brain Games that will assist you with improving your memory, skills, and problem-solving skills.

 

Brain Games present a numbering system, regardless of the type of puzzle. Keeping this in mind will help you solve most puzzles easier. We will view some examples to help you see the

numbering system within some puzzles.

 

Sometimes the numbers do not relate to the letters, or so it seems since you have to substitute numbers with letters to create a problem. We are going to give you a few letters. This is a common puzzle. Usually, I create my own Brain Games, but today we are going to focus on something familiar to you. If the puzzle is not familiar, don’t worry about it, rather focus on the lettering, and try to turn the puzzle into a multiplication. With this type of puzzle, you will substitute the letters for numbers.

 

Ready:

“E B G D A H C F”

F

“E E E E E E E E E”

 

Answer:

“12345679

x9

111, 111, 111 “

The point of this puzzle is if you continue multiplying after substituting the letters as numbers, you will reach stalemate, since this multiplication will continue. Don’t waste your time, unless

you want to attempt to find a multiplication that comes to a stopping point.

 

Have You Ever Run Across A Question That Seemed Unanswerable?

 I have been stumped by this question a number of times:

Fire IS TO igneous AS wood IS TO ?

 

I’ve been playing brain games for a long while, but this one question is always a pain every time I come across it. I have spent hours trying to solve that question to no avail.

It all started when I made my daily visit to a puzzles and games website. I clicked a link that said Ancient Cryptography Society. While there, I read an article about Edgar Allen Poe, and I learned that he wrote a cryptogram that no one solved until 150 years after his death. The website looked interesting, and I decided I wanted to sign up for it. I really like cryptograms, and I wanted to know more about this Ancient Cryptography Society.

 

When I got to the bottom of the page, instead of a signup link, there was the question. Apparently, the Ancient Cryptography Society requires an answer to the question before you can gain entrance to the main site. “This should be easy.” I thought to myself, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

 

I thought the answer was petrifaction, but I was wrong. I Googled the question, and got nowhere. I accessed the online library at my college. No analogies there, either. I got the same result at Ask Yahoo. I have pondered and ruminated on this question and I am still no closer to the answer than I was when I first read it.

 

So now here I sit, telling you about the question that is burning a hole in my brain. I have obsessed about it. I have gone back and tried other answers, and still I couldn’t tell you what the correct answer is.

 It’s driving me crazy because I can’t answer this question. It seems to me that the answer has got to be so simple, so obvious, that any reasonably intelligent person should be able to solve it.

 This has gotten me to thinking: If Edgar Allan Poe wrote a cryptogram no one could solve for 150 years, could he have drafted this unanswerable analogy, too. Maybe it will remain unsolved for 150 years, too. Who knows? Do you? You will run into these type of puzzles on occasion.

Using your analytic mind however makes it possible to figure out what the puzzle is saying. Imagine yourself solving a mystery puzzle that no one has solved. You will feel like Einstein without recognition, unless your name gets out and you’re a published in the World Book of Genius as the person who solved the unsolved puzzle.

 

Various Brain Games are offered on the net. You have advantage with the Internet, since you will find free mind busters, Brain Games, Cryptography puzzles, and various other types of puzzles to your liking. The riddles are fun too, so be sure to check out some of the riddle Brain Games online.

 Brain Games offered on the Internet encourage you to explore your abilities, mind, and to use the four hemispheres of the brain to discover answers to sometimes multiple problems. At what time Brain Games present unsolved elements, instead of running away from the problem stay with it and attempt to solve the problem, since it will increase your IQ. Our future is demanding that we have a high IQ to beat the robots that is replacing humankind.

Crossword Puzzles and Brain Games

When solving a crossword puzzle, it helps to prepare yourself before you begin. Try to have a dictionary and thesaurus handy, especially if you are doing the Sunday New York Times puzzle, so that you will not be stymied by obscure words and phrases. Make sure you have a good, sharp No. 2 pencil or two, and an eraser is necessary as well. You will want to be in a well- lighted area, and it is best if you are sitting at a table or desk. It is a good idea to read over all the clues before you start, so that you have an idea about which clues are easy, and which are going to be a little more difficult to solve. It is also helpful to mark the clues according to difficulty, perhaps making a tick mark on clues you can solve easily.

Then, put a different mark on difficult clues you will need to refer to reference material to solve. Be prepared to take a break and rest your mind occasionally, especially if it is one of the larger puzzles common in the Sunday newspaper. When I solve a crossword, I always fill in all the easy clues first, breaking the puzzle into blocks, across and down, until I reach the end of the clue list. By doing this, I give myself a head start on the harder, longer words, and eliminate a third to a half of the puzzle.

Occasionally I will find a clue that could have two or more solutions, and I will write all of them down alongside their respective clues until I have solved enough squares to eliminate the words that do not fit. Once I have completed all the easy clues, I start on the longer words that are not related to the theme of the puzzle. I have never encountered these sometimes-obscure words before. I use my dictionary and thesaurus when I encounter a word with which I am unfamiliar. Occasionally I have to refer to my Bible or an encyclopaedia, since sometimes the clue will be a Biblical quote, or a reference to a specific location or an event in history. I work through these clues in the same manner as the easy clues, block by block. As I fill in more words, the puzzle gets easier to solve, especially since some of the individual squares are already filled in by solving previous clues.

Eventually, once I have solved all but the longest clues, I have to discern the theme of the puzzle.

 Much of the time, these longer clues will be a play on words and related to the theme of the puzzle, and I am able to solve them by process of elimination and by applying simple logic.

Occasionally, however, the puzzle author has gotten a little tricky, and used numbers or symbols to complete parts of the word or phrase, and then I have to get creative. For instance, recently I solved a puzzle that had the word “arrow” in each theme related clue, and it took me a little while to figure out that I needed to put an actual arrow where these clues intersected.

Another time, I had to replace the word “one” with a numeral one.

 

If you follow these simple steps, you will probably find that solving a crossword puzzle is not as difficult as you once believed, and you will get a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.

By the time you finish the puzzle, you will find that you have not only relieved some of the stress of your day, but also exercised your mind.

 

The Science Behind Brain Games

Thomas Alva Edison is the inventor and the discoverer of a number of exact progresses in Brain Games. He has provided evidence himself by his mind prospects. Thomas discovered that the intelligent mind is an authentic indubitable gift. The brain functions on two sides, i.e. the right and left side. On each side of the brain, you have parent, child, rebellious, creative, and other sides. The brain allows you to analyze, rationalize and so on. Your brain has so many abilities, which the left side solely is responsible for objectively thinking creatively. You can handle tasks by using this side alone, yet when you use both sides of the brain, you have deeper advantages.

 

The right brain allows you to use intuition to make good decisions and relate to the whole pie. The right brain involves all of your abilities, specifically your physical, social conditions, mental etc. Your right brain subjectively evaluates all angles of problems. The senses allow you to study beauty and use your creativity to discover new ideas.

 Artistic minds often use both sides of the brain to creatively write, draw, or create something of interest. We all have two hemispheres within the brain, which gives us the ability to use both sides simultaneously. Using both sides of the brain gives you many advantages. This is the point of Brain Games, since the various puzzles, games, riddles; trivia, etc encourage the use of both sides of your brain.

 

Brain Games That Burst The Brain

Brain Games come in many forms., as we have pointed throughout this book. Each game form is designed to interact with your brain in its unique way. The crossword puzzle is fashioned to get you to open your mind to various suggestions. Rather than using the right or the left side of the brain, the Brain Games use tactics to inspire both sides of the brain. You can enjoy Brain Games most times, but the problems crossword puzzles throw up at times can be frustrating to some people.

 Since many people want to avoid problems, thus Brain Games encourage you to face the problems head on and to look at all sides of the problem so that you can find ways to solve it.

 

To help you understand Brain Games we can review a few types of mind busters to see how well you do. In the article, you will have answers, but we encourage you to avoid peeking.

Rather, try to solve the puzzle on your own.

G O D B Y S A O S O T D C O T Y C I E W D S E A D T O W C S

The puzzle has a statement unrevealed. Look at the puzzle from the ‘T’ in the center of the puzzle. Work diagonally, then from left to the right of the puzzle until you see the “O’ at the left of the puzzle. Then move right up to the B. This is one of the easier puzzles, yet the point is driven home with the example. The answer is “good boys.” Now, look at the puzzle closer and see if you can create new vocabulary. We can work together. Sea - God - Good -Boys - so - cot - said - do - woo- to - sot - Dias’ (Spanish ; 10) doc - tow - tog - toy - cod - boys

 

As you can see, you can finish these puzzles and expand on them to build your vocabulary and observational skills. The best way to build a vocabulary from the puzzle is to start at the bottom. If you see some word right off, then start with the word you see and work bottom, diagonally, up, down, right, left until you build a new vocabulary from the puzzle.

 Do another one.

 M O S C K R E D I C D B O K C O C A O R E L A Y E C N E L B I EA C S N T A L I T E E T O T L S T E S L E A L A E Y C E C E Y WAY M

Like the first puzzle start in the center and work diagonally, right, left, and to you see what the puzzle is saying. The answer is “mice don’t really bite.” Once you solve the puzzle start building your vocabulary. Relay - mice - red - way - tot - really - bite - do - lea - eat - so - boa - ice - saw - lot -

 

Continue building. If you can find more words then do so. Keep doing these types of puzzles daily and in time, you will have a large vocabulary. Rather than doing the simple puzzles however, find some harder puzzles so that you can encourage your mind to work through harder problems effectively.

 

Several other types of Brain Games are available. You can find web sites that offer you free mind busters, riddles, trivia, and other type of Brain Games that will help you improve memory, skills, and problem-solving skills and so on. Take time to do a few different type of Brain Games so that you have an idea which puzzles are suitable for you. Some sites allow you to post your own mind busters. Perhaps you can start creating your own in time. Solve the unsolved Brain Games to improve your IQ.

 

Working Through The Longer Clues In Crossword Puzzles

The longest clues you may need to understand the theme of the puzzle. The longer clues tend to play on words that relate to the theme of the puzzle. Follow the process of elimination and apply basic logic. The puzzle may become a little tricky. Sometimes the puzzles use numbers or

symbols to complete parts of the word or phrase.

 Use your creative mind at this point to assist you with solving the puzzle. Think positive as you work through the tricky areas, since it promotes power of the mind.

 

Some puzzles have word arrows in each theme that relates to the clues. These types of puzzles often require that you place an actual arrow where the clues intersect. Sometimes you have to replace words, or letters, such one with the same number. If you follow these simple steps as you work through crossword puzzles, you will discover that solving crossword puzzles is not as demanding as you once thought. Once you begin to solve puzzles successfully, your brain will be sure to reap the rewards.

 Learning Crossword Brain Games

 

In some cases, puzzles have word arrows in each tract those concords to the clues. These blazons of puzzles often require that you place a definite director where the clues cut across. Sometimes you have to replace words, or letters, such one with the same number.

 

Once you include all categories within a puzzle, successfully you could complete the puzzle. At what time you are starting crossword puzzles, take notes before you get started, since it will prepare you for the rocky roads ahead. Usually, crossword puzzles follow the same system, regardless of the style. You can splendidly complete crossword puzzles by getting yourself ready. You should have a lexicon, pen, paper, pencil, erasers, glossary, and other tools at your side.

 

Some of the crossword puzzles can come off as incomprehensible. Some have slogans or indefinite words. You need to prepare ahead if you want to master the puzzles successfully.

 How to across-the-board in crossword puzzles conveniently

 

It is always wise to review the puzzles before attempting to fill in the squares, especially for a beginner. What you should do is search for reminders to help you expound the snarls. Looking for inklings will help you solve the more difficult parts of the puzzle without much stress. When starting crossword puzzles always search for clues and mark them as you see them. At the confusing areas try to mark the areas so that you can recall it back to mind. Use a handy dictionary to guide you through some of the difficult areas. The beyond puzzles strictly speaking are commonly difficult, yet you can solve them successfully.

 

Clues are often hidden in words above other words, below, crosswise, or sometimes in the puzzle. Each time you spot a new clue mark it right away. You can break the clues down into blocks too, which can help you solve the puzzle effectively. Block the puzzles across, down and continue until you complete the list of clues. You will come to harder areas within most crossword puzzles. Blocking will help you to work through these areas. When you reach long words, try to use the first letter that filled in the block below, above or crossway in the last squares.

 

Continue to search for more clues. Study all angles of the puzzle until you feel you know what letter goes in the square to solve the problem. Jot down each clue next to relevant hints within the puzzle. Continue marking clues until you have completed the squares. Keep it simple. This

is the best rule of thumb.

 

Enjoying Crossword Brain Games

 

The best thing about crossword puzzles is how they seem to prepare you even before you get started on them. Regardless of the style of the crossword puzzle you come across or create for yourself, most of them always seem to follow the same pattern. Some crossword puzzles are quite complex in nature. Many can potentially include obscure words and phrases that you may not be very familiar with. If you want to be quite adept at solving crossword puzzles, then you should consider having a thesaurus and/or a dictionary at your side as important.

 

How to Complete Crossword Puzzles Successfully

 

If crossword puzzles aren’t exactly a category of brain games you’re considerably familiar with, try using a pencil instead of a pen. Until your vocabulary expends, it is quite likely you would spend a lot of your time making mistakes and erasing them. Equally important is the fact that it is smart to read the puzzles before attempting to answer the questions. While reading, try to look for clues to help you solve the problems. The clues you come up with will help you solve the difficult areas more easily.

 

Try to mark out the clues in difficult areas. Creating a mark at clues, can help you solve the puzzles easily. Use reference materials too, as already stated above. Prepare ahead and take breaks to avoid overloading your mind. Larger puzzles especially are commonly difficult.

 

Do the easy stuff first

 Try to fill in all the easier clues first. Then break down the puzzle into blocks. Block the puzzle

across and then down until you reach the ending of the clue’s list.

 I have a FREE resource for you to download. Engage your students with my step-by-step, “Let’s Write A Book.” https://www.getstartedontherightfoot.com