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The
purpose in having a child make a paper airplane
is simply two-fold:
It is important, however, that the eye-hand coordination take precedence in this activity. The simple folding of the paper in certain shapes will most certainly help the child when he or she starts manipulating objects. The same process can be used in making a paper hat. The airplane is used here simply because the child can play with it when complete. Eye-hand coordination is something your child must learn by doing. If you help your child, the purpose of the activity is not effective. This is the time to encourage and compliment even if your child makes a mess of the creasing or has great difficulty getting the edges to fit together. This exercise has nothing to do with intelligence, it is simply a physical thing. The parent must have patience with the child since folding paper into two perfect halves then folding down the corners does take a lot of eye-hand coordination. Each child will progress at their own particular rate. No two children are the same. Some may be more dexterous than others through natural talent. The best way to look at this process is take your child where they are and don't worry about what others can or cannot do. The key is have fun. Warning: Be careful with paper, such as, typing or computer paper, it can cut the skin. Note: If your child has not had any experience folding paper, you may wish to start with the child folding towels, face cloths, or paper napkins. These items are much easier to handle and will give the child the idea of getting the ends together before folding.
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| 1.
Make sure your child is seated beside you and not
across from you. Sometimes children can become
confused about what is right and what is left if
you are seated across from them. It is suggested
that the child be placed beside you or in front
of you facing the same direction. 2. Take two pieces of regular writing paper (8 1/2 X 11)and lay one on the table in front of the child and the other on the table in front of youreslf. The paper should have the long edge facing both you and the child. |
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| 3. Tell the child that you are going to fold the paper in half then demonstrate how it is done by bringing the child's attention to the edges coming together then with one hand holding the edges together, the other creases the fold. Now let the child copy what you did. Let the child attempt this by his/herself. Eye-hand coordination is something one must learn by doing. If you help the child the purpose of the activity is not effective. This is the time to encourage and compliment even the child makes a mess of the creasing or has great difficulty getting the edges to fit together. It is not a time (if there ever is a time) to say the child is stupid. This exercise has nothing to do with intelligence it is simply a physical thing. Encourage. If the child messes up the paper encourage them to try again. It will get easier. |
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| 4. Fold one corner down to form a triangle and crease. Turn the folded paper over and repeat on the other side (see diagram). |
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| 5. Now fold down the side to touch the original fold (see diagram). Repeat on the other side. |
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| 6. You now have a very simple airplane which when the "wings" are folded out will, with some minor physical effort, fly. It is important fo rthe child to realize that folding paper is not an easy task for the eyes and the hand must work in unison. That is why so much patience is required. There is always the tendency to do it for the child so taht success is assured. This simply does not do anything for the child. |
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| 7.
Leave some extra papers on the table and if the
child wishes let him/her keep trying to make as
many paper airplanes as he/she wishes. 8. Have fun. Try flying the paper airplanes into an armchair or bucket positioned some reasonable distance away. 9. Try other shapes of airplanes with more complicated foldings. 10. Try making paper hats, paper cranes, etc. |
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