Traditional Montessori: Folding and Rolling

I recently purchased some pinking scissors, which I have been meaning to do for some time. These two activities: rolling and folding, have been on my list of lessons to make. Rolling napkins is a simple activity to make. Although Montessori education introduces the act of rolling early on (because rugs and mats are used for working on) this activity is a challenge because it requires a tighter roll to fit into the napkin rings. This activity is appropriate for a child very familiar with rolling a rug and mat without rings.



Folding cloth is introduced early on in Montessori. First, folding in half, then quarters, then a diagonal half and last triangular quarters. I was in need of some and made these just by cutting with the pinking scissors and using leftover fabrics. (A word on fabrics, after looking at my pictures I realized my fabric choice is a little "busy" a solid color would have been better because it is not distracting. Since these are not the first introduction with folding for my daughter, she is working on the last set, I will still use these. But when I first introduce folding with my youngest I should use a solid color.)



Each square has a line on both sides indicating where the fold will be. The child first traces the line with what we call the "working fingers" (index and middle).



Before each fold the child traces the line with the fingers.



If the cloth has been folded correctly the line acts as the control of error (the way in which the child can independently tell if the activity was done correctly) and the child will see if the line is along the fold.

Extensions of this work include folding paper, folding or rolling napkins for meals, and folding clothes.