Learning how to use scissors plays an important role in developing the fine motor skills young children need in order to hold pencils and crayons. These tips will help you to grow your children’s scissor cutting skills.
Having strong fine motor skills will help children as they begin the tricky process of learning how to write.
It might sound easy, but teaching young children how to cut with scissors is a very complex task.
The Importance of Scissor Cutting Skills
The opening and closing motion of cutting with scissors helps children develop the small muscles in their hands otherwise known as fine motor skills. These muscles are crucial for holding a pencil or crayons and gripping and manipulating objects.
Cutting also helps develop eye-hand coordination as children hold the paper with one hand and cut with the other while tracking the movement of the scissors with their eyes.
Another important skill that is developed through cutting is bilateral coordination. Bilateral coordination involves using both sides of the body at the same time while each hand is performing different tasks. For example, to cut a square, the child must hold the paper with one hand and turn it while the other hand is not only opening and closing the scissors but also moving along the line. Easier said than done!
Tips for Teaching Scissor Cutting Skills
Start by providing high quality scissors for beginners- my absolute favorite brand is Fiskars. Fiskars open and close easily and have a short, blunt tip for safety. Cheaper scissors tend not to cut as well and lead to frustration.
Wrap electrical tape around the thumb hole so children will know where to put their thumb.
Use a song or chant to remind kids where their fingers belong. I use Dr. Jean’s Scissor Snips song from her All Day Long CD.
Start with snipping things like paint chips, play dough, and straws.
Place samples of each child’s snippings in an envelope and label with their name and date. Place the envelopes in the children’s portfolios to discuss at parent conferences.
Save the fronts of old greeting cards (age appropriate of course) and invite children to cut as they choose. Cards are thicker and provide more resistance and stability that helps beginners hold the paper and maneuver the scissors.
Provide rolling pins in the play dough center.
Provide activities that use tools such as tongs, hole punches, tweezers, eyedroppers, and clothespins to strengthen fine motor skills necessary for cutting.
Tools to Support the Development of Scissor Skills
- Fiskars Kids Blunt Tip Scissors
- Fiskars Spring Action Scissors
- Helping Hands Fine Motor Set
- Rolling Pins
- Tweezers
- Tongs
- Hole Punch
- Strawberry Hullers
- Eyedroppers
- Clothespins
- Spray Bottle
We’re talking about fine motor skills right NOW! Join us!
READ MORE Scissor Skills-> https://www.pre-kpages.com/tips-for-teaching-scissor-cutting-skills/
Posted by Pre-K Pages on Thursday, March 24, 2016
Free Printable Scissor Skills Checklist
More Teaching Tips
- 7 Tips for Reading Aloud to Kids-Reading aloud to children is an essential part of building crucial literacy skills from preschool all the way to middle school. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, reading to kids is a fun and effective way to connect with them.
- Best Teaching Supplies for Preschool Teachers– Let’s face it, there are certain teaching supplies that just make your teacher life easier. Whether you’re looking to up your own teaching game and make your life easier, or if you want to make a teacher’s heart go pitter patter, then this list is for you.
- 40+ Brilliant Teaching Hacks- Have you ever discovered a brilliant teaching idea that you wish you had known sooner? Here are more than 40 amazing teaching hacks that will help you save time, organize your classroom, and solve your most challenging storage problems!
- Must Have Teaching Tools to Organize Your Preschool Classroom- Here are some ways to organize your teaching tools and supplies so you can quickly and easily find what you need, when you need it!
The Best of Pre-K Pages
Alphabet Sensory Play
What’s in Your Dramatic Play Center?
How to Teach the Alphabet with Lego Duplo Bricks
Follow my Fine Motor board on Pinterest for more great ideas!
