| I love origami. Many people say they love origami | | | | example, when I'm out and I see random children |
| because it makes them happy to create | | | | who are cranky or sad, and quite possibly giving |
| something by hand, and the how amazing it is | | | | their parents a hard time, I try to find a scrap |
| that it can stay together without adhesives or | | | | piece of paper and quickly fold an origami crane |
| fasteners to secure it. | | | | (traditional Japanese bird) and ask the parent if it's |
| While origami is fun and enjoyable to make, it also | | | | alright to give to the children. I've always gotten a |
| stirs up different emotions and expands the world | | | | surprised look from the parents, but it quickly |
| in different ways, believe it or not. | | | | turned to a smile from both the parent and child. |
| Origami is an ancient paper folding technique from | | | | That one piece of scrap paper not only became a |
| Japan. It's widely used around the world today as | | | | quiet moment for the parent, but also a new toy |
| an art form, decoration, model for technological | | | | for the child. |
| and architectural creations, tool for learning | | | | Origami is a fun and creative form of decoration |
| mathematics and simply as a fun gift for any | | | | around the home, for cards, gifts, and even |
| occasion. | | | | fashion accessories. Some fashion designers use |
| Growing up as a very shy child, it was difficult to | | | | origami folding techniques and models as a base |
| make friends or stand out in class among the | | | | for new pieces. Just as some fashion models |
| other more social children, but one thing that | | | | after origami, so does technology. Many scientists |
| certainly helped me to get out of my shell was | | | | and medical technologists use the mathematical |
| origami. Just sitting quietly and folding origami was | | | | basics of origami for devices used today. Some |
| enough to grab the attention of some children | | | | even copy origami models exactly. One of the |
| since I was able to create a lovely little tulip from | | | | most fascinating models is the solar panel model |
| two square pieces of paper. | | | | used on some satellites orbiting the earth. |
| The curiosity it stirred up in all the children led to | | | | The benefits of origami are endless for future |
| natural social interaction as they each wanted to | | | | advancements and stress relievers in everyday |
| find out what it was and how to replicate it, and I | | | | life. It exercises the brain just like puzzles do and |
| would explain and instruct. This was also a great | | | | helps personalities to grow by building confidence |
| confidence booster since I was the one who could | | | | and perfecting fine motor skills, especially with the |
| show and teach something interesting and new. | | | | tougher more advanced origami pieces. |
| People of all ages can do the same thing, whether | | | | Next time you're out, take a look around and |
| it's to gain confidence, to create a new | | | | you'll see origami models all around you. |
| environment, or change someone's mood. For | | | | |