Teaching How to Use Scissors

ABC Jesus Loves Me Ideas:

Start by cutting playdoh or pizza dough

Thick paper is easier to cut than thin, flimsy pieces of paper. Regular paper is the final medium to cut.

Use the words "open" and "close" to help the child control the scissors. Move the paper into the scissors while the scissors are open.

I like to sit behind the child and come around them to help with the scissors

Somehow denote the top hole of the scissors so that the child knows the thumb goes "here"

Start with one snip cuts and wide lines - progress to several snips and thin lines to follow

Begin with straight lines and progress to curves and waves or cutting around something

Use safety scissors designed for children - Fiskars brand is considered to be the best by many.

When cutting, remind the child that their dominant hand does the cutting while the other hand moves the paper.

Watch that the elbows do not point out while cutting. If this happens, the paper needs to be moved.

Check out Preschool 2 Pre-K for more great ideas and suggestions

Helpful Tools:

Safety Scissors - Good scissors are so important. The scissors should fit the child's hand and open easily.
Kumon My First Book of Cutting for Ages 3 - 5 by Marlon Creations (Thank you, Sandra)

Free Cutting Worksheets:

ABC Jesus Loves Me