Using scissors is an important skill that needs to be fostered in young children. When I started teaching three-year-olds and preschoolers, I quickly learned that my students didn’t know how to hold scissors, much less have the skills to cut.
After some research, I discovered an easy way to teach the kids in my class how to cut and develop the fine motor skills they needed.
What I learned and how I taught my preschoolers is the same method I’m using to teach my three-year-old to cut and use scissors properly. It’s a simple process and you can help your child learn to cut and have good scissor skills, too!
Keep reading below to learn how you can teach your child to cut!
Step 1: Rip Paper
Yes, you heard that right! Ripping paper will help them gain fine motor skills. This can be any scrap paper you have lying around or those pesky ads you get in the mail. You can have them practice different types of paper to help strengthen their hands as well. Examples include: tissue paper, construction paper, and cardstock.
Tip: Encourage your child to use both hands while ripping paper to strengthen bilateral coordination.
Step 2: Snipping
- Cut small strips of paper and draw lines across them.
- Ensure the paper is wide enough for them to make one cut or snip.
- Help your child hold the scissors with their thumb up and practice snipping the paper together.
- When you think your child is ready, give them a couple of strips of lined paper to cut themselves.
Note: Your child might complain or say their hands hurt because they’re using different muscles. Give them a break, and they can try again another time.
Tip: Use colorful and fun paper to keep your child engaged and excited about practicing. My daughter likes when I use white paper and add fun colors for her to cut!
Step 3: Fringe
- Once your child has mastered snipping paper, move on to fringing.
- Cut wider pieces of paper (usually wide enough to cut twice) and put a sticker on one end.
- Draw a line from the sticker to the end of the paper.
- Help your child cut with scissors along the line to the sticker and stop before cutting the sticker.
- Have them practice this fringing skill several times before moving on.
Tip: Let your child keep the stickers at the end when they cut a line! A small little reward for them as they go along!
Step 4: Lines
- Now your child is ready to cut longer lines!
- Give them several sheets of paper with lines drawn on them and have them practice cutting along the lines.
Tip: Use different types of paper (construction paper, tissue paper) to add variety and challenge.
Step 5: Zig Zag Lines
- Draw some zigzag lines on a piece of paper.
- Have your child practice cutting with scissors along the zigzag lines.
- They will need to turn the paper to cut correctly, which will prepare them for the next step.
Tip: Praise your child for their effort and progress, even if the cuts are not perfect.
Step 6: Curved Lines
- Draw several circles and ovals on some paper.
- Have your child practice cutting with scissors the circles and ovals.
- The skill of turning the paper from step 5 is crucial for cutting circles and ovals.
- As they cut, it’s important that they turn the paper and try to cut along the lines as much as possible before moving on to the final step.
Tip: Use large shapes initially and gradually decrease the size as your child’s skills improve.
Step 7: Right Angles
- Draw several squares and rectangles on a piece of paper.
- Have your child practice cutting along the lines, making sure to stop at the corners.
Tip: Give lots of encouragement and practice! Your child will be well on their way to mastering the skills of cutting with scissors.
Follow these steps, and your child will be able to cut anything you hand them! It will take time to progress through the steps, so don’t rush them. Allow your child to master each step before moving on. Their hands will strengthen as they practice cutting more.
Have you heard of these steps before? How is your child doing with cutting? Share your experiences and ask any questions in the comments below!
MORE FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
If you’re looking for other fine motor developing practice check out the following pages!
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