Origami and Child Development

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Paper folding is recognized as an excellent means of developing hand-eye coordination and mental concentration in young children. It has been shown that the use of the hands directly stimulates certain areas of the brain. Since successful origami requires making precise geometric folds, it also teaches children to pay attention to detail and to take the time to make the folds correctly. Origami is frequently used as an activity in kindergartens and elementary schools. Working with colors and three-dimensional objects also heightens awareness of perspective and artistic sensitivity.

Origami is also used for therapeutic purposes, such as art therapy and rehabilitation after an injury or stroke. British paper folder John Smith invented Pureland Origami, which uses only mountain and valley folds, to make origami easier for inexperienced folders and those who have impaired motor skills. Since many of the more complicated processes common in regular origami are impossible for these people, alternative manipulations have been developed to create similar effects.