Folding paper is a creative activity in which children use their imagination to form three-dimensional shapes such as ships, airplanes or hats from a flat sheet of paper. This creative process promotes the child's spatial and mathematical thinking and enables basic experiences with geometric shapes and symmetry. For example, a triangle is formed when the child folds a square from one corner to the other. If the child folds a rectangle in the middle, both parts lie exactly on top of each other.

Developing spatial and mathematical thinking
The first years of life are crucial for the development of a child's brain and learning ability. Folding paper stimulates both hemispheres of the brain because it requires coordination between the eye and the right and left hand. When folding paper, children experience through their own actions how a flat sheet of paper transforms into a three-dimensional object by changing its shape and size. This promotes the ability to imagine things before they are actually created and improves the understanding of spatial thinking and three-dimensionality. At the same time, folding is a great way to practice fine motor skills. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly option for folding, old magazines and newspapers are a sustainable alternative. Children will need your help to understand the folding shapes. First show your child the finished result, and then fold the shape together. Ask your child to sit next to you so they see the folding steps from the same perspective. Show and explain each step as the child folds the corresponding shape.

Verbal instruction
Your verbal guidance is crucial to lead the child through each step. Use terms such as ›middle and half‹, ›corner to corner‹, ›inside and outside‹, ›right and left‹, ›top and bottom‹, ›edge and tip‹ and ›opposite‹. The experience of paper folding encourages creativity and also creates precious moments between you and your child. What's more, there is great joy when children fold paper airplanes together with their parents and then let them race through the air.