It has been a few years since the Origami adventure started but still loving it. I wrote a similar article for the Homeschool magazine a few years ago (http://homeschoolmagazines.com/the-art-of-ancient-origami-the-8-year-old-californian-homeschooled-boy-creating-infinite-paper-folding-possibilities-giancarlo) intending to promote the innate skills our children learn to develop when we offer an independent and self-directed education.
For young artist Giancarlo, Origami was a discovery he made when he was 7 years old. A shape of paper folding that he had seen somewhere fascinated him to the point of wanting to learn how to create that shape. It was the kind of fold that when blown on it becomes a “water balloon”. It was a real challenge for GC to figure out one last fold before seeing the magic of his paper fold becoming a round shape. For Giancarlo who as an independent student learned to play chess at 4 years old, nothing was going to discourage him from learning one step. Once he figure it out; many “water balloon” followed and the door was open for him to discover how to create hundreds other possibilities of paper folds that became alive with color and shape.
There were no Japanese parents or teachers who guided Giancarlo into the ancient Art of making Origami. Was only his interest and dedication that took him into the journey of studying Origami basic folds. Giancarlo, diligently practiced hours and hours a day making shapes over and over till he mastered how to create his first crane, flower, fox, dog, cat, and many more. Within a few months, he realized that he had achieved a new skill as he has been doing for the past few years. As a very avid, independent student since before preschool, Giancarlo saw Origami as a fun skill to learn and although challenging did not notice it till he could not make a shape but by then he figured that libraries Origami books will help him to figure out what he could not on his own. Giancarlo checked books at many different libraries and watched videos online and his Love for origami was born.
Giancarlo who is now a 10 year old homeschooler; has been a student who has been not only learning academics but learning to do everything he gets interested in such; creating electric circuits, coding, playing chess, doing magic tricks, playing keyboard, guitar, singing, basketball, tennis, and swimming. The learning possibilities for Giancarlo are endless as long as his interest for a new skill is vibrant.
One of Giancarlo’s favorite shapes on this display has been dedicated to one of his favorite animals, foxes (kisune in Japanese) which in Japanese culture are very spiritual creatures related to the God of rice Inari.
It is said the fox was a messenger or servant who carried rice to the communities. If you visit a Kami (shrine) in Japan, you might see a fox statue, which is honored, as a symbol of creativity, intelligence and strategy.
Although Origami is very elaborated and requires a lot of patience, there are many benefits to it such:
Helping with Math concepts in geometry, proportions, fractions, symmetry, problem solving and more. It also helps with visual motor skills, reasoning, attention skills, concentration, sequencing, creativity, independent studies and has also been used for its health benefits as a relaxation technique to ease tension, reduce anxiety and to help with ADHD.
Giancarlo’s Origami display rotated from different libraries in Orange County. The display was at Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Irvine, Newport Beach and Laguna Niguel. It was a great joy seeing the interest and fascination many kids showed for Origami.
GC’s Origami is meant to inspire other kids to create something unique using their hands, creativity and imagination. Our intention is that more kids will choose Origami vs using electronic devisers for entertaining themselves. Folding instead of texting.
Thanking all who have inspired us and Intending that you have found inspiration to start creating something that you can share with the World!!
©KarlaGMundo2018
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