Why floor puzzles? While all puzzles challenge children's thinking, spatial, and fine motor skills, floor puzzles also involve gross motor skills as children literally crawl and move around to assemble the puzzle. Because these puzzles are so large, children feel a real sense of accomplishment when they stand back and admire their completed puzzle. The size tends to draw children in - it isn't uncommon for our children to grab little toys which they will use to interact with a completed floor puzzle. The larger pieces make them accessible to younger learners; while a regular 100 piece puzzle might frustrate a 5 year old, the same child would enjoy the challenge of a 100 piece floor puzzle. Another benefit of the large size is that these puzzles are also much easier for children to share and to work on together. We've found that children tend to focus on the subject matter of a puzzle as they work it, so I try to find at least one or two puzzles to correspond with any subjects we are studying. As the children work on the puzzle and are drawn into the scene, they are thinking about and noticing things we've discussed. This is of particular benefit to children who are kinesthetic learners or visual learners! I also enjoy providing puzzles that correspond with my children's favorite interests or hobbies - children enjoy thinking about their favorite things while doing these puzzles. I've never met a boy who didn't love pirates, and this amazingly detailed puzzle is sure to delight any pirate lovers in your home! While it clearly features a fierce pirate, it isn't overly �€�dark�€� or gruesome as some pirate things can be. This 100 piece floor puzzle includes all of the important pirate motifs - the parrot, ship, shovel, treasure chest, treasure map, and of course the dastardly pirate himself. This would make a fantastic gift for any pirate-lover or a fun addition to a study of pirates. The pieces are extra-thick cardboard with a wipe-clean surface - this puzzle is made to last!