VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 3
focused on how fold lines related to each other—a process that may reflect an
understanding of the basic properties of shapes, such as angles, lines, and points:
I liked thinking about ways to improve my origami folding. For example,
when folding the paper into a triangle, I realized that aligning fold lines with
other fold lines—rather than trying to match up edges or points—was the
key to making it neat. When folding by touch, it's hard to tell if the edges or
corners are truly aligned. But if you focus on folding so that the lines meet
each other, you can feel the alignment clearly. Understanding how lines
relate to each other on the shape really helped me fold more precisely.
Additionally, participant descriptions suggested that activities such as Slinky
and 3D puzzles may also have supported spatial reasoning. For instance, a U.S.
participant reflected, "With the Slinky, I could change how I placed it and see how
it moved differently. It helped me get a better sense of space." Similarly, a
Japanese participant noted, "When you play with 3D puzzles, you do a lot of
spatial simulations in your head. You imagine what the final shape will look like
once it's completed."
Discussion
This study aimed to investigate the childhood play experiences of adults
with visual impairments currently working in STEM or related fields across four
countries. Specifically, it explored the types of toys and play activities they
