The Benefits of Origami
Considering its vital advantages, the Japanese have made origami a part of the school children’s program of study. Here are some of the basic skills origami can teach – Â
- Spatial skills
- Thinking skills
- Analytical skills
- Creative skillsÂ
- Behavioral skills
- Motor skills
But origami has even more to offer to your child’s growth. Let’s look at some of the other ways origami can benefit your child’s education.
The Educational Benefits of Origami
Do you remember the last time you actually folded paper to make a flower or an airplane? Many times, the paper-folding art is dismissed as a purely fun activity. Perhaps it’s time you try some elegant origami paper and watch the magic it creates. Paper folding is a must-try for grown-ups and children alike. In addition to its relaxing advantages, ancient origami art also benefits children in the present-day classroom. There are many reasons to learn how to make origami.
Let’s look into the advantages of origami one by one:
1. Develops Reasoning and Mathematical Skillset
Despite its rich history, origami is only recently being used as a teaching tool for skills like symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns, measurements, fractions, geometry, and even listening skills. Origami can train your brain to increase retention, attention, confidence, and perseverance. The simple act of creating a paper airplane – other shapes – will foster a greater understanding of measurements and how they can be used to create shapes like squares, triangles, and rectangles.
Learning can be increased when origami is added to your teaching. Origami may help children engage the mind, as they practice a new skill, rather than just observing.
Using origami in the learning process may also increase retention and learning.
2. Eye-hand Collaboration
Origami is an art that involves both intellect and dexterity. Studies have shown that simple paper folding can help encourage learning in other areas, including perception, memory, attentiveness, reasoning skills, and the ability to recognize patterns. All of this can easily be developed through easy origami patterns.
3. Develops a Problem-Working Station
Origami is not just for kids! It can be used in the fields of physics, mathematics, and astronomy. Origami is very popular among experimenters and scientists who use origami to help create scientific theories by creating models as a problem-solving exercise. It has become a fundamental tool in the field of mathematics and engineering and can also be used in other areas like education and child development.
Further, problem-solving, and sequencing are taught through origami and can greatly impact a child’s behavior and personality.
4. Heightened Creativity
Origami encourages creativity and curiosity in a pupil. Fold after fold, they excitedly anticipate the end result. There are so many possibilities with origami! Children manipulating paper with their own hands gives them a sense of accomplishment, which can further unleash their creative powers.
Innovative thinking is stimulated in origami folding. Imagine working with all your creativity to craft a beautiful piece of art, all from a single piece of paper.
Origami is easy to do and very affordable. It can be a great hobby that can be done almost anywhere. All you need to get started is a single piece of paper. Canadian Museum & Library Supply has several kits and paper packs to get you started. Even the smallest student will be making origami creations in no time at all.
5. Build Social Skills
Origami can be a great tool to help build those social skills. Children and adults come together to produce beautiful pieces of origami art. Schools may use origami to teach teamwork, cooperation, and listening skills. Children gain rich knowledge through observation and following instructions.
6. Improves General Wellness
Origami has therapeutic benefits as well as educational ones. It promotes general well-being and happiness by increasing a person’s sense of achievement and satisfaction. The whole process is very calming and Zen, like a form of meditation that deepens with practice and patience.
7. Mental Well-Being
Origami is gaining some traction as a means of relaxation. Dr. John Hillery from the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland suggests that origami is an engrossing activity that improves mental health and allows the brain to unwind from stress. Further, a sense of achievement can absolutely build self-esteem and confidence.
8. Science Made Easy
While science and mathematics are core subjects at school, many students find them dull, boring, and even challenging. What if there was a way to make these subjects more engaging? Origami can teach simple physics concepts through 3D creations and theories.
We hope you take some time to see our selection of origami projects to see how they can be used in your organization.