Behind the Scenes: How We Prepare for Our Origami Workshops
Many people only see the magic that happens during our origami workshops. However, the real work begins long before we even start the workshop.
Step 1: Choosing the Origami Designs
This is the first and most important step of our workshop. When we prepare for a session, we focus on which origami designs to teach. For seniors with arthritis, we make sure that the steps are simple enough for them to follow and don’t stress their fingers. We also make an effort to provide seniors with bigger sheets of paper for easy, painless folding. We often focus on manageable and repetitive folds that require minimal effort.
Step 2: Pre-Folding
Before we give workshops, we pre-fold some steps to prepare guidelines on paper. This step allows seniors to easily complete each step without getting frustrated. We also make Google Slides that clearly show instructions with pictures and display them on a screen for visual reference.
Step 3: Testing with Each Other
Our team goes through the origami designs together before each workshop. This is basically our rehearsal time. If one of us struggles with a step, we brainstorm together to explain it better or simplify it. Additionally, we try to time ourselves to pace the session better and avoid overwhelming seniors.
Step 4: Preparing the Atmosphere
We’ve learned that origami is about the environment. Before each session, we aim to keep materials organized and bring more energy. We make it our mission to bring big smiles into the senior centers, spread joy, and help the seniors feel youthful once again. We want to make sure the atmosphere feels welcoming and comfortable.
Step 5: Adding Personal Touches
For some participants who struggle with memory, we aim to foster a stronger personal connection. We plan to initiate small talk about origami and listen closely to their voices. Each senior is different: some may breeze past each folding step, while others need more detailed instructions. For the latter cases, we provide one-on-one assistance, no questions asked.
At the Heart Behind the Preparation
Through our various workshops, we learned how to create moments of joy and connection. Each piece of paper holds more meaning than simply folding. We spent time preparing carefully so that once the workshop begins, we can focus fully on what matters most: making our seniors feel free and youthful again.
