Indonesia
Kids, Let’s Make Origami!
Is it true that simply folding paper can bring great influence on the development of the little one?
It’s a supercreative game, low cost and doesn’t take power (kids will not panic over low batteries) and has been around for thousands of years. It is believed that origami has existed since Heian era (741-1191) in Japan. The paper folding art spreads across the world and survives in the midst of the rising of high tech games.
Ester Natalita (Erlita) has known origami since three years old. The first object she created –she remember it well- was a windmill. “The paper windmill will spin when blown. I was amazed to make my own toy,” Erlita recalled. Since then, there’s no day passed without her playing origami. Erlita folds paper in the classroom, on the plane, in the doctor’s waiting room, dinner table… anywhere, and still does!
According to the Consultant of Children Growth and Development RSUD Dr Soetomo Surabaya, dr Mira Irmawati SpA(K), origami is a game that sharpen creativity, diligence, thoroughness, and imagination. Try picture a kid who can make any shape out of a plain paper. What can match that? “Parents may grumbling to see the little one’s bedroom become messed up with papers covering every corner. But don’t stop them from exploring the origami hobby. It’s good for them to learn thoroughness and creativity,” Mira advised.
Profesor Ryuta Kawashima, a top neuroscientist from Japan, shares the same idea. He believes that origami is very good to the development of children’s brain because the activities are pretty much like sewing and playing piano. When the hands are busy folding the paper, the brain is also active recording the folding one by one, while figuring out the model to make. After it’s done, surely kids will be happy and satisfied to see the result.
Well, Supermom, how to make children switch from no-day-without-gadget to origami? Well, children are sure to have their own interests. We can’t force a child to like origami, just as much as asking children to like bananas. Linda Marlina, Founder of Klub Origami Indonesia, has a lot of experience on this matter. According to her observation, basically children enjoy activities that felt like playing than studying. “So we need to create a relaxed atmosphere like playing. Choose a simple origami shape, which can be used as a toy. Such as pencils, ship-calluses, plane that can be flown, or propeller that will spin in the wind. Children will be proud of his own work,” Linda advised
On the other side, Erlita who is leading the Komunitas Origami Indonesia Koordinator Surabaya (Indonesia Origami Community Surabaya Coordinator), has a unique way of spreading the origami fever ‘virus’ in the society. Everytime she had meal in a restaurant, she would left any origami she made when waiting for the order. The objection is to make people curious to see the camera, cell phone, flower, frog or any other object made out of paper.
For the beginners, there are a lot of origami models we can teach the children, Supermom. For example, triangles, kites, samurai hats, and insects. It doesn’t take books to learn origami. Brians Tjipto, a 5th grade student of Surabaya Grammar School, diligently studying origami techniques through video sharing website YouTube. Now he can make a very detailed phoenix-shaped origami in 300 folds. Fenchilia the mother never complains to see his youngest son more interested at origami, compared to online games like other children. “Me and my husband support what crazes Bri. In fact, the first thing we looked for during holidays abroad was origami paper for him,” said Fenchilia.
If learning through books, children are required to understand the symbols used in the diagram (direction of folding an origami model). Through YouTube, learning tends to be easier for guided ‘directly’ through the screen. “Even if you want a private course, i can send some special origami trainers to houses in Bandung,” said Linda, addressing the town where she lives.
Following the community of origami enthusiasts is also a good way to develop skills. There are currently origami communities in various cities in Indonesia. On March 7-8, for the first time they will gather to attend the Konvensi Origami Indonesia 2015 in Faculty of Marine Engineering (FTK), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya. Well, Supermom can take Superkids there to know more about origami. Detailed information can be found at www.origami.or.id.
Happy folding!
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTO: 123RF
