Origami skills aid in music practise

Early Learning Music students enjoy a pretty paper folding experience. But what does origami have to do with music lessons? Patiently waiting to follow specific instructions, our 3-4 year olds are using both sides of the brain as their little hands work out which fingers to use next. Steady visual and memory recall of folding progressions recreated many times engages concentration. Focusing on the end product, the result of controlled action...this is the joy of origami...and of music!For older children, following more complex origami or lego construction instructions helps to train young brains to know that a good result comes from patient application of their building. To be able to progress in music, the same understanding is required. As teachers and parents we can choose fun, enjoyable pieces for our students to play, but sooner or later the student themselves has to embrace the repetitive experience and claim for themselves the satisfaction of learning.