Image via Wikipedia

Origami is the art of making objects with paper or cloth without cutting, pasting or decoration. This captivating art originated in Japan in the tenth century. It is very easy to develop this skill; it only requires patience and perseverance, the objects that can be made range from very simple to highly complex, for this reason this art fascinates children from a very young age and adults of all ages.

Contributions of Origami to the development of life skills in very young children

Children love origami, once they have learned this art they spend hours on this inexpensive hobby. This is highly beneficial for young pre-school children.

• Paper folding activity helps to develop the fine motor skills
• It helps to develop eye and hand coordination.
• Children learn the process of construction.
• They learn that they can improve by trial and error.
• It develops patience.
• They learn that once they have created something they can preserve it , and use it to decorate their room or home.
• Origami objects that can move are usually toys, they can play with something they have made, it is not necessary to always buy toys.
• They can share them with their friends.Thus encourages social development.
• They can make something to gift to a friend.
• Children will also learn about the excitement and importance of having created something out of paper.this inculcates a sense of independence and achievement at their success.
• It stimulates their aesthetic sense
• It makes them realise they can achieve something only with practice and determination.
• It enables them to learn about the environment ,when they make animals like the panda , penguin and frog.This arouses their curiosity for the environment.
• When they make the boat,aeroplane, glider sailing boat, it helps them to understand the different modes of transport, and encourages them to learn more about it.
• It helps to develop colour recognition, by the use of different coloured paper.
• When the children master the art, they make variations suitable to their taste, this develops their cultural awareness.
• It helps to develop their creativity; this is a challenge to their learning ability.

           Advantages of learning Origami for older children

• Consolidates their fine motor skills.
• Keeps them occupied constructively especially on a rainy day.
• They engage their younger siblings,with toys they have made.This gives them a sense of responsibility and fulfillment.
• They can make their own decoration and gifts.
• Book marks, C D holders, envelopes and flowers are some models that will interest older children.

           Uses of Oragami for adults

• Parents can engage children in this useful activity, when children are restless, when travelling, or when they cannot play outdoors.
• Use Origamii to tastefully arrange table napkins , when the table is set for dinner.
• Very useful , when quick decoration is required especially at the work spot.
• Origami pencil holder, fabric origami ,gift boxes are some objects useful for adults.

Everyone at some stage in life has experimented with  origami.We may have lost touch with this wonderful art. Here are some excellent sites that can not only refresh our memory but also enable us to learn some new models.

boat      dog       whale      ladybug      rabbit face     Jumping Frog