Folding Activities for the Young Child at Home
Practical Applications of Folding Skills in the Early Years
May 27, 2009
There are many opportunities at home for young children to apply their newly learnt skill of folding. When they are encouraged to do so, they receive the message that their skills are relevant to their lives as well as valued and respected by others. Here are some folding activities that your young child can participate in.
Folding at Mealtime
The child can assist with the setting up of the table for mealtime by folding table napkins. Begin with simple folding patterns. They can fold a napkin in half or into quarters and place it on a plate or under the fork. In time, they can progress on to conquer more fancy folding patterns, such as the fan fold. The child can also fold and transform table napkins into elaborate decorative pieces for meals on special occasions. Floral and animal patterns can be attempted for such festive and family celebrations.
Folding and Food Preparation
Folding a useful skill in the kitchen. Children can place stuffing onto a tortilla and then fold the tortilla in half. They can work with square pieces of dough, fill in the fruit slices, fold the corners of the dough into the centre and make a fruit Danish or pies. They can even help fry and fold an omelette into half.
Folding in Laundry Activities
Children can also help to fold and put away the laundry. Because of their regular shapes, handkerchiefs, table napkins, hand towels, wash cloths, small cushion covers or pillow cases are good to start off with.
The child can move on to folding clothes, which is no simple task.. The first step is to help the child determine what needs to be folded from those that need to be hung. You will need to show the child how to fold the different types of clothing. Start with pairing and folding socks, and move on to t-shirts, shorts, and later on skirts, pants, shirts and dresses. For each, you need to show how to fold the specific portion of the clothing on top of itself. Geometry awareness and memory skills are also critical. Be patient as you take the child through the proper folding steps.
When the child is proficient in folding clothes, challenge the child to try the Japanese style of folding t-shirts. Children who fold and put away their own clothes learn to care for and manage their own clothing.
Folding and Packing a Suitcase
Children who can fold clothes can pack their own suitcase for a trip. This is also an excellent opportunity for decision making over what to bring and how to pack these items efficiently in the given piece of luggage. You may also wish to teach your child to fold and roll up clothes. Clothes crease less this way.
Folding and Personal Hygiene
Folding is also practiced when the child blows his or her nose into a piece of tissue, and folds it up to blow again, or to dispose the tissue. Such an ability to care for oneself adds to the child’s personal dignity.
Folding and Gift-giving
Folding skills also come in handy with gift wrapping. Young children can begin with the wrapping of regular shaped items, such as a small square box. They can progress on to more challenging shaped items and even try out creative wrapping styles. They can also fold paper into gift tags. Later on, they can even fold gift bags and gift boxes.
To conclude, it is a satisfying experience for children to apply their newly acquired skill of folding in their every day life. They are able to control their lives and their immediate world. Children also enjoy helping out and their self-esteem and confidence increase when they have the competency to do so. Self reliance is a personality trait respected for life.
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