How to Teach a Preschooler How to Use Scissors

Preschoolers need time to use and practice with scissors before they can use them more fluidly. There are several activities that can be done to help develop the muscles in the hands. Some examples would be: playing with playdough, tearing old magazines and stringing beads.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Card stock
• Scissors with a blunt edge (these are usually ambidextrous)
• Playdough
• Paper
• Straws

Instructions

1. Establish where your preschooler is with their development of using scissors. Do they hedge cut? Do they cut with the scissors but hold them upside down? Do they hold them correctly?

2. Use playdough for a cutting medium. This is the best for beginners as well as experienced scissor cutters. Playdough allows for a successful cut each time.

3. Move onto cardstock or cardboard (the thickness of a cereal box) next. This will continue to give your preschooler the success they need, to continue to be a skilled cutter. Next use straws and small strips of cardstock.

4. Develop cutting skills next by drawing simple large shapes like circles, squares and triangles on a piece of cardstock for your preschooler to cut out.

5. Cut regular paper. This is the final step. Paper should be used when your preschooler is able to hold the scissor upright and successfully cut one of the other mediums mentioned.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to purchase scissors that seem rounded on the inside and are thus appropriate for both left and right handed preschoolers. Children can wait until first grade to finally decide what their dominate hand will be.

• Using old magazines will not leave marks on your preschooler like newspaper does.

• Allow your preschooler to develop scissor skills at their own pace. Be sure not to criticize them for hold the scissor wrong. Just gently model the correct way and every once and a while help them to hold the scissors correctly.

• Teaching your preschooler how to use scissors will also help them continue to develop their sense of autonomy and the feeling of "I can do it."

• Scissors should not be used unsupervised. This can be hazardous to your preschooler or to household items.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish