Have you ever used origami as an activity for improving visual perceptual, fine motor and direction following with your students (or some adults if used for napkin folding, creating decorations?) ?
I have used books and online resources for thematic origami used with elementary students having perceptual and fine motor challenges. Having access to those resource requires some planning when working in different locations. A portable resource for origam, such as an app on your mobile device, can be a helpful resource for itinerant therapists reducing some of the prior planning needed when relying on hard copy resources. Using a portable app as a resource may only require paper or scissors at your treatment site! Yes one less thing to find, pack and carry!
Origami Genie app for iPhone/iPad is currently free (reduced from 4.99 – never sure for how long?) and provides a searchable listing of origami creations ranging from easy to complex. Over 50 origami creations were listed in the Easy category, many requiring only 4-6 folding steps for a finished product. You can save frequently used origami directions to a Favorites list for easy retrieval or search the List under “Easy” or by name.
The app provides a picture of the finished product and a diagram of the origami steps that is easy to follow.
Although there is not a print function within the app for printing the directions via Air Print, a Mail option allows immediate access to email pictures or directions. A Save function also allow saving the image directly to your photos album where you can email it for printing. Other options within the app provide the ability to make changes to the photos but I am not sure their function. Perhaps additional use would find reasons for those other functions.
A clean printable image as seen below was produced from the saved image that I emailed from my Photo Album showing the easy to follow steps provided in the app:
Of course adaptations to the folding process can be made pending the need of your student. Origami Genie provides many examples of origami projects that can be a resource for any teacher, therapist or parent and be on demand on your mobile device. Lists of origami creations include seasonal origami as Halloween, Christmas, Valentines (sorry no Easter) and other categories as Animals, Sea Creatures, Nature, Flowers, Bugs, Clothes and Number & Symbols.
I found Origami Genie app easy to navigate, provided multiple levels of origami from easy to more complex with many categories of creations to choose from. Origami activities were suited to both kids and adults and some might be simplified for young or those with cognitive challenges. One of the best aspects of this app is as a portable resource for hands on activities for children and adults.
Other resources for origami include on-line resources and books. There are many online resources available, here are just a few:
Origami Resource Center – Online resource of origami with step by step directions.
Origami-Instruction.com – origami for kids with step by step pictures of creating origami. Simple designs.
Easy Origami (book) – Simple origami activities for children and adults. $ 3.95 . Also available for Kindle.
Origami On the Go! – origami activities book. Why not create a Fortune Teller (or if you need an app for that, see below!) with origami for spelling word work or math facts with a partner. Great fine motor, writing, perceptual classroom and home activity! $10.91.
Remember the Fortune Teller or Cootie Catcher ? Here is an Android app for students or parents. Make games with math curriculum facts, spelling, lots of things!
More resources for your OT mTool Kit! Have fun folding and get those fingers moving!
Carol
is a self-regulation game based on the curriculum “
– A Curriculum Designed to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control”.
Have you or your students played the app?
OT's with Apps & Technology 