Folding Fabrics
The Folding Fabrics
The Folding Fabrics are a preliminary exercise, and something all children wil be presented in their beginning days of school, regardless of age.
The Folding Fabrics are four pieces of identical square material. Each one is marked with lines for folding.
Square 1 is marked with one diagonal line from a top corner to a bottom corner on both sides.
(Square 1 unfolded) (Square 1 folded)
Square 2 is marked with a horizontal line from one side of the square to the other, exactly in the middle of the square.
(Square 2 unfolded) (Square 2 folded)
Square 3 is marked with two diagonal lines, each going from a top corner to the opposite bottom corner.
(Square 3 unfolded) (Square 3 folded)
Square 4 is marked with two horizontal lines, one going across the square, the other going from top to bottom. They intersect at the exact center of the square.
(Square 4 first fold) (Square 4 second fold)
With these fabric squares, the child is shown how to fold four basic ways: a simple triangle fold, a simple rectangle fold, a two-fold triangle and a two-fold square.
During the presentation, the directress carefully traces the line on which the fabric will be folded, and deliberately picks up a corner of the cloth with care. She folds the square, and then traces the line that appears on the other side of the fabric. This makes it obvious to the child the fabric has been folded correctly. This is repeated for each square in the set. Most children master this set of materials after a few practices.
Knowing how to fold these shapes helps the child to care for his classroom environment. All of the cloths and towels used in the Practical Life and Sensorial Areas of the classroom are folded after they are laundered each day. The napkins used for snack and lunch are also folded.
Once your child has gained this skill, invite him/her to help you fold laundry at home. His work won't be perfect, nor does it have to be. He will gain great satisfaction in contributing to the household with this small task, and you have a laundry helper in training!