Folding Cloths

Material

Box or tray containing four napkins – square cloths about 9 ½ “ or 24 cm, all the same color. Lines are stitched:

• Horizontal median, dividing the cloth into half
• Diagonal median, dividing the cloth into half
• Horizontal and vertical medians, dividing the cloth into fourths
• Two diagonals medians, dividing the cloth into fourths

Presentation

1. Invite the child to the lesson.
2. Explain that the child will learn how to fold. Ask the child to watch.
3. Show the child the mid-point of the first cloth.
4. Carefully grab the two corners nearest to the body and fold over the horizontal line.
5. Match the corners to corners, edge to edge.
6. Crease the line with two fingers, show the line to the child.
7. Place the folded cloth near the top of the table.
8. Show the child the mid-point of the second cloth.
9. Repeat exercise for cloth 1, but then fold the cloth once more this time vertically.
10. Crease the line, show the line to the child.
11. Place the folded cloth on top of the previous one.
12. Show the child the mid-point of the third cloth.
13. Grab the lower corner of the cloth, and the left side of the triangle with the subdominant hand.
14. Carefully lift the cloth over the line to match the other side.
15. Crease out the line, show the line to the child.
16. Place the folded cloth on top of the previous one.
17. Show the child the mid-point of the fourth cloth.
18. Repeat the exercise for cloth 3, but fold once more to the left or right.
19. Crease out the line, show the line to the child.
20. Now, in reverse order of steps, restore cloths back to original state and put them back in the basket in their proper order.
21. Invite the child to try.

Exercise

Same as Presentation.

Points of Interest

Seeing the line, matching corner to corner, edge to edge, creasing the line with fingers afterwards, then slightly lifting, making stack, return to original state in reverse order.  

Purpose

Precision, eye hand coordination, concentration, independence 
Indirect preparation for geometry and fractions.  

Age

2 1/2 to 4

Notes

Isolating difficulties of folding, surging on edges is good stitching that doesn’t fray and doesn’t have front or back, the medians must be exactly in place, use high quality materials, wash hands before use.