Guided Scissor Practice
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Description
You draw bold lines on paper, help your child make the first snips hand-over- hand, then gradually let them take over as their control grows. Practising the scissor skill safely is the whole activity.
What to prep
- child_safe_scissors
- paper
- marker
Play guide
- 1Use child-safe rounded scissors only. Draw a few short, bold, straight lines on stiff paper for your child to cut along.
- 2Sit beside your child so you can guide their hands. Show how to hold the scissors with thumb up.
- 3Help the first cuts hand-over-hand, then ease off as they get the feel for opening and closing the blades.
- 4Let them cut along the bold lines at their own pace while you stay right beside them and manage the scissors between turns.
- 5When they finish, gather the scissors and admire the cut pieces together, keeping them for a collage another day if they like.
Success signals
Your child holds the scissors with your help and makes the blades open and close. They cut along or near the bold lines with less hand-over-hand support over time. They stay focused on the cutting rather than waving the scissors around
If it's tricky
Child cannot make the blades close: Try loop-handle training scissors or keep guiding hand-over-hand for longer. Child gets frustrated: Switch to cutting playdough or straws, which are easier than paper. Child waves the scissors or stands up with them: Calmly take the scissors, remind them scissors stay at the table, and resume only when they are seated