Is it time to add in some cutting practice for preschool aged kids? If your preschooler is beginning to show interest in scissors, then YES! Is it scary to give your toddler an item that could cut them? Of course! But, cutting practice is AWESOME for fine motor development, has TONS of practical applications, and, most importantly, toddlers LOVE using scissors!

Choosing the perfect scissors!

The pre-workout

Scissors require your toddler to use multiple muscles in their hands. Before you begin looking at scissors, I suggest you build some hand muscles first. Have your preschooler clip and unclip clothespins, use tongs and tweezers in their sensory play, and squish and squeeze lots of play dough. These activities will help to build those hand muscles so your preschooler will be ready to develop their scissor skills.

Cutting with Safety-Scissors

There are 2 main types of safety scissors: the plastic “my first..” scissors, and the blunt metal blade scissors. I’m sure the mom in you is excited to hear that the “my first” scissors only cut paper and not skin and are SOOOOOO safe. But, I’m here to tell you DON’T GET THE PLASTIC SCISSORS. In my opinion, these are the most difficult scissors to use, and they lead to SO much frustration while your toddler is attempting to develop their cutting skills. (Although I will say, they do make the perfect playdough scissors!) Just take the plunge and buy the metal blade scissors. My favorite scissors are actually from the dollar tree. They work well, and are CHEAP!

These scissors look similar to the ones we use! They have a lever that “auto springs” the scissors back open. When we first introduced the scissors, I loved this spring and love that I can tuck the spring away now that my daughter no longer needs it!

Here are the plastic scissors, that I wouldn’t recommend for cutting paper but are perfect for cutting playdough.

 

Quick tips for How to teach scissor skills to preschoolers

1. Have a pair of scissors for you to model. Modeling is SO helpful for preschoolers.
2. In the early stages, your toddler may use 2 hands to hold the scissors. I don’t have an issue with this as it helps your toddler learn what scissors are for. But, when you’re ready to start the “real” scissor practice, your toddler will only use 1 hand. I use the reminder “one hand, please”.
3. “Thumbs up”. This phrase will be your new best friend. I constantly remind my toddler “thumbs up” when she flips her hand or grabs the scissors the wrong way. This reminds her to adjust her hand/wrist/scissors so that her thumb is facing up!
4. This may seem counterintuitive….but cardstock is easier to cut for beginner cutters! It doesn’t flop like copy paper does, so it is easier for your toddler to hold in one hand while using scissors with the other.

Fun Ideas to encourage Scissor Practice

Like most things, developing strong scissor skills will take practice. These ideas are meant to be done with things you already have in your house! Cutting practice doesn’t need anything fancy (except scissors, of course!).

Beginner cutting practice for preschool Activity: Cutting Streamer

Cutting streamer is great cutting practice for a beginner because the streamer tears so easily. When I do this activity, I hold the streamer and let my toddler focus on using the scissors. Each time she closes the scissors, I tear the streamer, whether she made a full cut or not. This activity is great reinforcement for moving the scissors appropriately and teaching your toddler what scissors do!

After we cut the streamer, we usually glue it down to make an artwork. For example, when we had blue streamer, we cut the streamer, glued it down, and added duck stickers to resemble ducks in a pond.

Is your toddler struggling to hold the paper in one hand and cut with the other? Try this cutting practice activity!

This activity is SUPER simple to set up, but is very engaging! I used red, green, and yellow cardstock (yes, cardstock!). Then, I drew a stoplight on a piece of white cardstock. I also used a few toy cars we had lying around for extra interest!

Cut cardstock into strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. This is a great size for your toddler to be able to manipulate. Put the cardstock strips in a bin with scissors. Let your toddler cut the strips and place the pieces they cut in the correct spot on the stoplight. 

Is your preschooler ready for a scissor practice challenge?

You know that junk mail you always throw away….well, don’t! Put it in a bin for your toddler to cut! There are so many fun pictures on junk mail (cars, houses, animals, etc) that your preschooler will LOVE cutting out! It’s free practice (and recycling), and cutting out organic shapes is the perfect challenge!

Bonus Ideas to encourage the development of scissor skills:

Use plastic scissors to cut playdough.

Cut cooked spaghetti noodles

Take your scissors outside and cut the grass (free lawn mowing, right!)

Throw flowers and scissors in a bin and have your toddler cut flowers that are about to be thrown out.

Use these squeezy tweezers in your sensory bins

Place strips of construction paper and scissors in a sensory bin and let your toddler explore

Draw lines on the shipping paper that comes in packages for your toddler to cut

A Cutting Practice Worksheet Freebie

This freebie is the perfect addition to your scissor skills center! I love to place all the sheets in a zipper pencil pouch along with a pair of safety scissors. This allows my toddler to grab the bag and go!

Get your cutting practice for preschool freebie here

Do you want more cutting practice for preschool worksheets? Check out this ABC Scissor skills pack!

More great blogs for your toddlers and preschoolers!

Are you wondering if themes are appropriate for your at-home preschool classroom? Check out Everything You Need to Know about Thematic Learning Are you hoping to make your first day of preschool awesome? Check out 5 Epic Ways To Take The First Day Of School For Teachers From Zero To Hero Are you wanting to incorporate literacy into your science lessons? Check out Six New and Fun Nursery Rhyme Lyrics Sure to Teach Science to Children Are you looking to start your own blog Here are 7 Helpful Tips on How to Blog Like a Boss

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