Our School-age 2 group has been busy learning to fold origami! The group began by choosing a design and following the step by step instructions. Some asked for assistance from an educator. Aubrey began to make envelopes and made them very quickly. Some of the other children wanted to make them as well. Aubrey then taught everyone how to make them step by step. She waited patiently for each child to complete each step. The other children watched closely and followed the steps until we had a pile of envelopes on the table.
Yug joined the group and tried to make one as well. He asked an educator to help him try to perfect each step. When he finished his envelope, his last fold didn’t quite fit. He then patiently unfolded the paper, flattened it, and went through each step again until his envelope fit perfectly.
Claire S. watched closely and then decided to fold a paper cup and flower. Leila made a bird and a flower, she was persistent and followed the instructions a few times until she succeeded. The following days the School-age 2 children asked to take out the origami paper again to continue learning new folding techniques. This allowed the children to not only work on their fine motor skills but also develop their communication skills, concentration, and hand-eye coordination. Providing children with opportunities to take on leadership roles can allow them to also gain a deeper sense of belonging.
