Hobbies And Interests
Folding Blankets
Many preschoolers just can't sit still. One way to keep them active and learning is large scale folding. Using blankets or large sheets of paper. Pair up the children and teach them to fold as a team by grabbing two corners each and walking toward each other. To maintain control, have the pairs set the blanket down after each fold. Teamwork and cooperation are encouraged by the partnership and the kids learn to pick up for themselves.
Folding Worksheets
Folding worksheets usually include a fun scene that needs to be folded to appear correctly. Many are available online and kids will appreciate their sense of accomplishment when they put together their worksheet. Some worksheets come in color, but students can color black and white worksheets to make the activity a longer project.
Small Folding
Give each child a piece of paper, and challenge them to fold it as many times as she can. This helps them understand what is happening when something is being folded, as well as building motor skill strength.
Simple Origami
Young kids generally love animals, and simple animal origami patterns are a great way to bring folding to life. Pre-marked animal origami worksheets are available online. While they are simple, preschoolers will probably need assistance with their origami. With a manageable class size, however, these paper animals are a great treat for kids.
Folding Benefits
Folding requires a number of senses rarely used by young children. The focus it takes to fold a piece of paper evokes a tactile sense in different textures and surfaces. Children also develop a sense of weight and thickness as the objects they are folding become more dense.