No.218
Fold-and-Open Paper Cutting
Japanese name: 折って開く切り紙
Materials
- Thin square paper
- Child-appropriate scissors
- Pencil
- Backing paper for the display
How to play
- Fold the paper in half, then in half again. Preschool children may fold only once. Identify the folded edges and open edges.
- Draw one small semicircle or triangle on a folded edge. Leave a connecting portion; do not cut away every fold.
- Check with an adult where to hold the paper and cut slowly along the line. Scissor users stay seated and spaced apart.
- Unfold gently, one layer at a time. Count the repeated shapes, find matching left and right features, and name the design.
- Try one different cut and arrange the results on backing paper to share. Return scissors and gather small scraps to finish.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: one fold. Younger primary school children: fold into quarters. Older primary school children: compare symmetry.