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You are here: Home / Fine Motor Activities / Scissor Secrets that make Cutting Easy

Scissor Secrets that make Cutting Easy

November 15, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learning how to cut is a big milestone for your child and cutting skills are expected to be mastered by elementary school.  Yet learning how to properly hold and manipulate scissors can be a challenging time for many kids.  Give your child a fine motor boost  by teaching your child these Scissor Secrets that make Cutting Easy! 

Learn these scissor secrets to make cutting easy for your child.  Tips include ideas for hand strengthening, wrist positioning, and visual cues.

Tip #1- Mimic the fine motor movement of scissors with tongs.  

 

Cutting

The hand motion of opening and closing tongs is the same that is used with scissors, so build up your child’s hand strength by using tongs first.   Create games with the tongs to keep your child’s interest and attention, such as placing ping pong ball (eggs) in egg cartons, or “cookies” on baking sheets.

cutting

 

Tip #2- Put a sticker on the thumb

Scissor success is largely dependent on hand positioning. Place a small sticker (or marker dot) on the knuckle of your child’s  thumb and tell him to look at the sticker when cutting.  The child can only see the sticker when his thumb is up, therefore providing a constant visual cue for proper hand positioning.

cutting

Tip #3- Put a sticker on the scissors

Place a long sticker or piece of colorful tape on the top of the scissor’s edge and tell the child to keep the colored part at the top when cutting.  This will help the child to keep their scissors in the correct position and decrease the likelihood that the child will turn the scissors sideways and attempt to cut.

Learn to cut with scissor secrets

 

Tip #4- Hold onto a book 

As mentioned above, positioning is key.  Most cutting problems are due to poor wrist, hand, or arm positioning.  Having your child hold onto a thin book or paper under his cutting arm will ensure proper arm positioning on the scissors because the elbow and forearm have to stay close to the body.

Make cutting easy with scissor secrets

 

Tips #5- Start out with loop scissors

Loop scissors are a great tool because they automatically spring upwards and only require that the child squeeze down on the scissors (instead of squeezing down and then lifting up).  These scissors decrease the act of cutting in half, making it much easier to cut.  Once your child begins to feel success with this type of scissors, then introduce typical scissors.

Loop scissors automatically spring up, making cutting easier. Click on the image to purchase these from Amazon.com

Tip #6- Practice cutting different objects

Once your child gets the act of cutting down, have him practice cutting various objects such as play doh, dry noodles, bubble wrap, ribbons, cereal boxes, etc.. to sharpen scissor skills and lead to cutting more intricate shapes on the lines.

play-doh

 

So try out these simple out ideas and “cut out” scissor frustration!


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Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: cutting, fine motor activities, scissor skills

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Comments

  1. Agne says

    December 11, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    Hello, I have a question about the age of a child. At what age should one be introduced with scissors? Thanks for the reply!

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      December 12, 2016 at 2:34 am

      It can vary from child to child but typically kids can be introduced to scissors around 2.5-3 years. Typical developmental charts have children snipping at paper by age 3. Thanks for reading 🙂

  2. Gina says

    February 7, 2017 at 2:43 am

    Do you have any tips for a left hemi 4.5 yr old with limited grasp? Child can snip with stabilizing paper on tabletop. We are moving onto cutting a piece of paper in half and having difficulty with this. Thank you in advance.

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      February 7, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      Try using modified scissors that are stationary on the table top which only require the child to use a downward pressing motion with the wrist or arm rather than isolated finger movements. Good question!

  3. Jaime Spencer says

    June 26, 2017 at 11:49 am

    I like the tip about the colored tape on the top blade! Smart!

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      July 2, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      Thanks Jaime!

  4. Eileen Somers says

    June 28, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    ? thank you

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      July 2, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      You’re welcome!

  5. Julie P says

    August 1, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    My four year old boy is a lefty (due to malformed right hand). He is right footed. my question is do lefties need special scissors?

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      August 9, 2017 at 2:30 am

      There are left- handed scissors available. It depends exactly what your scissors look like and how elaborate the curves are in the holes. It may not be a bad idea to try with your son.

  6. Stephanie says

    April 23, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    Great tips! Do you have this condensed in a handout form I can keep handy?

  7. larissa rosenberg says

    May 10, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    hi i am an occupational therapy student and i am working with a child that needs reminders on placing his index finger inside the bottom loop. can I use the sticker idea? The child is four years old.

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

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