Building Cognitive Skills with Paper-Folding Exercises...demonstrate basic paper-folding techniques...

Building Cognitive Skills with Paper-Folding Exercises Preschool-6th Grade (ages 3-12) Copyright © 2013 by Lemi Erinkitola

All Rights Reserved. This publication is protected by copyright laws.

No parts of this publication may be reproduced, republished, redistributed, or resold

in any form without the express written permission from the author.

First Printing: September 2013

ISBN 978-0-9899933-0-2

© 2013 Lemi Erinkitola All Rights Reserved. www.criticalthinkingchild.com i

About the Author:

Lemi Erinkitola is a visionary and neurocognitive coach who develops fun and

engaging strategies to empower students with critical and cognitive thinking skills for

academic success.

In 2006, Erinkitola shifted from a successful healthcare career to tutoring inner-city

children in Chicago, a life-long dream she had to follow. By leveraging her healthcare

industry experience, she was able to come alongside parents and educators in a whole

new way. Her work incorporates healthcare practitioner-developed whole-brain

learning techniques into critical thinking boot camps for kids.

Each session includes hands-on tools and teaching instructions to foster cognitive

development, improve students' IQ, and sharpen their abilities in math reasoning,

cognitive processing speed, visual discrimination and more. The Critical Thinking

Boot Camp for Kidssm benefits children as young as 3 years old and is conducted at a

number of universities in America.

Erinkitola’s work was praised in the July 2012 publication of the Learning

Enhancement Corporation in a featured publication article called “Helping Smart Kids

Get Even Smarter.” In 2013, she collaborated with teaching artists from the Chicago

Origami Society and OrigamiUSA who specialize in advancing cognitive skills through

origami. The rewarding experience helped inspire Erinkitola’s newest eBook, Building

Cognitive Thinking Skills with Paper-Folding Exercises.

Erinkitola is the mom of three school-aged children. As a mom of multiples—a

growing trend in America—she spends much of her time investing in the growth and

education of her children as they define who they are in this world. When they can get

away, they love to travel.

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© 2013 Lemi Erinkitola All Rights Reserved. www.criticalthinkingchild.com

How to use this workbook: This book is part of a workbook series used in conjunction with The Critical Thinking

Boot Camp for Kidssm program. A program that systematically helps to advance

critical thinking skills in young learners. The workbook has over 100 practice

questions that increase in complexity. Questions are presented in a reading-free or

non-verbal format where reliance on the knowledge of spoken English is unnecessary.

Figural (shape) analysis is often used in non-verbal cognitive ability tests to evaluate students’ spatial awareness, logical thinking, math reasoning and problem solving skills. Paper-folding is a form of figural analysis. In this book, the student is shown how a square-shaped piece of paper is folded and where holes, incisions, or other alterations are made. Complex diagrams involve multiple folds and intricate sequences and patterns. The student is to think about how the pattern will appear visually when the paper is folded and unfolded. Parents and educators can use these child-friendly puzzles to promote cognitive thinking skills in the classroom or at home. Lessons may be completed by the student working independently, working with a partner, or working in a group. However, the exercises are intended to be a collaborative effort between the adult and the preschooler. Upper elementary students may also be coached by an adult when using this workbook. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to demonstrate basic paper-folding techniques with an actual square piece of paper. Students may prefer to practice with paper until comfortable following the sequences and patterns from memory. Students with developing motor skills can simply point to indicate their answers, while other students may choose to fill in the circle bubble with a pencil. As their cognitive and motor skills develop, these students can begin to use this workbook, and others in the series, independently. Ideally, young scholars should spend about 5-10 minutes completing exercises that provide both challenges and opportunities for success. Tips for parents & educators: This may be a new cognitive experience for the student so be patient and encouraging. Remember to study the images carefully and keep the experience fun. Fun is a main ingredient for success.

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Instructions There are four main types of puzzles in this workbook: Puzzle 1 – Basic The student is shown how a square-shaped piece of paper is folded and where holes, incisions, or other alterations are made. The student is to think about how the pattern will appear when the paper is unfolded. Then select an answer from the four choices.

Puzzle 2: - Tri-folds The student is shown how a square-shaped piece of paper is tri-folded and where holes, incisions, or other alterations are made. The student is to think about how the pattern will appear when the paper is unfolded. Then select an answer from the four choices. Tip: Visualize a flip towards the right and then the left.

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Puzzle 3: Single Flips and Mergers The student is shown how a square-shaped piece of paper is folded at the center and then flipped towards the right at the vertical line. Think about how the pattern or image would appear once merged. Then, select an answer from the four choices.

Puzzle 4: Complex Combinations The student is shown how a square-shaped piece of paper is folded and where holes, incisions, or other alterations are made. The student is to think about how the pattern will appear when the paper is unfolded after combining 2 half-folds. Then, select an answer from the four choices. Tip: Visualize one fold at time. Look at the first fold and then the second fold.

v© 2013 Lemi Erinkitola All Rights Reserved. www.criticalthinkingchild.com

Getting Started: Start with the 20 practice questions to determine the student’s baseline level. • 0-7 correct - Start with Beginners • 8-14 correct - Start with Intermediate • 15+ correct - Start with Advanced Alternatively, the following guidelines may also be used. There are 3 levels and each level has 30 practice questions: • Level 1 – Beginners – recommended for ages 3-5 years • Level 2 – Intermediate – recommended for ages 5-7 years • Level 3 – Advanced – recommended for ages 7-12 years

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Contents

Practice Questions ……………………………………….……………….. 1-8

Level 1 Beginners ……………………………….……………..………….. 9-19

Level 2 Intermediate ……………………..……………………….……….20-30

Level 3 Advanced …………………………..…………………………….. 31-41

Practice Questions Answers ……………….……………………………..42-46

Level 1 Beginners Answers …. ……………………………………………47-53

Level 2 Intermediate Answers ………………….……………………….. 54-60

Level 3 Advanced Answers...…………………………….………………. 61-67

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Building Cognitive Skills with Paper-Folding Exercises...demonstrate basic paper-folding techniques...

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