• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Craftulate logo
  • Art
  • Crafts
    • Letter Crafts
  • Fine Motor
  • Food
  • Play Recipes
  • Sensory
  • Gross Motor
  • DIY Crafts
  • Activities
  • DIY Projects
  • Inspiration
    • DIY Gifts
    • DIY Guide
    • Parenting
    • How To Play
    • Learning Resources
    • Product and Service Opinions
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Art
  • Crafts
  • Play Recipes
  • Food
  • Fine Motor
  • Sensory
  • Gross Motor
  • Activities
  • DIY Crafts
  • DIY Projects
  • Inspiration
    • DIY Gifts
    • Parenting
    • Learning Resources
    • Product and Service Opinions
×

Learning to Use Scissors

Learning to use scissors can be pretty tricky for children, so here are some tips and tricks to help get them started on this essential fine motor skill.

Learning To Use Scissors - an essential fine motor skill for little kids

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you I can make a tiny bit of money to help support this blog. Thank you!A few months ago we worked on Tongs and Tweezer Training, and my son still loves tongs. Working with tongs and tweezers is great preparation for learning how to use scissors. At Easter we used some bunny egg tongs which were a great compromise – the tongs had handles like scissors but cups instead of blades.  Now F has turned 3 I wanted him to be able to use scissors properly, so here is how we practiced.I read that a great way to start out with scissors is to practice cutting play dough. So I made some logs from our jelly bean play dough and set out three pairs of scissors – including some blade-less dough scissors.

Learning To Use Scissors - an essential fine motor skill for little kids

 

I demonstrated to F how to hold the scissors, but he was having none of the one-handed method. Two hands for him. He did have a bit of success but it didn’t look comfortable and wasn’t great for my tablecloth!

Learning To Use Scissors - an essential fine motor skill for little kids

 

I used the blade-less scissors to show F how to cut the logs into small chunks, but he found it too hard and soon lost interest.

A few weeks later we tried again, just with paper. F was keen but it was hard to get him to hold the scissors properly; he just wanted to do it his way and not accept any direction!

Learning To Use Scissors - an essential fine motor skill for little kids

 

Then I saw P is for Preschooler’s photo that shows googly eyes glued to the top edge of the scissor handle. This encourages the child to hold the scissors the right way up so that they can see the eye. Definitely worth a try! It really seemed to help, despite F’s natural tendency to turn them the other way up. But he started to make some really good snips and I feel like we’re finally on the right track!

Learning To Use Scissors - an essential fine motor skill for little kids

 

[bctt tweet=”Here are some great tips for little ones on how to use scissors!”]

Here are some other tips on how kids should hold the scissors:

Draw a smiley face on thumbnail of cutting hand from Happy HooligansHold paper above eye level to correct wrist from Parents.comAdd tape to the paper from The Inspired Treehouse

 

Further resources for learning to use scissors:

Tips for Choosing Scissors for your Preschooler from Teach Preschool

Guide to Scissors and Cutting for Lefties from Left Handed ChildrenThe Ultimate Guide to Cutting Activities for Preschoolers from LalymomWhy Scissor Cutting Skills are Important from Makeovers and MotherhoodOutdoor Scissor Skills Activity from No Time for FlashcardsStraw Cutting Activity from Play Dr MomTips for Teaching Scissor Cutting from Stay at Home EducatorFree Printable Cutting Practice Strips from Royal BalooDeveloping Cutting Skills with a Cutting Tray from Mama Papa Bubba

FMFbookBanner

Fine Motor Fridays is a weekly series that has now been running since October 2013! Please check out these other great fine motor skills ideas from my co-bloggers!

Honey Transfer: A Fine Motor Water Activity from Still Playing School

Busy Bags for Fine Motor Activities from Powerful Mothering

Fruit Kabobs for Kids: A Yummy Fine Motor Activity from School Time Snippets

Simple Activity for Learning Colors for Toddlers from Lalymom

Dinosaur Excavation Activity For Fine Motor Skills From Little Bins For Little Hands

 

Pin143
143 Shares

More Fine Motor

  • Valentines Cutting Hearts Activity - great for fine motor practice!
    Valentines Cutting Hearts Activity
  • Wooden Train Track Dominoes
  • Fine Motor Button Snake
  • Punched Paper Tree Collage
Pin143
143 Shares

Primary Sidebar

Latest Crafts for Kids

  • 25 DIY Crafts to Do When Bored - Fun Things to Make
    25 DIY Crafts to Do When Bored – Fun Things to Make
  • 25 Easy Crafts for Toddlers (Craft Ideas for 2-4 Year Olds)
    25 Easy Crafts for Toddlers (Craft Ideas for 2-4 Year Olds)
  • 30 Easy Crafts for Teens: Arts and Craft Ideas for Tweens
    30 Easy Crafts for Teens: Arts and Craft Ideas for Tweens
  • how to play blooket for student and teacher
    How to Play Blooket (2 Ways for Student and Teacher)
  • learn how to earn money as a kid
    How to Earn Money as A Kid: Detailed Steps and Tips
  • dinosaur crafts and activities for kids
    30 Easy Dinosaur Crafts and Activities For Kids

Footer

↑ back to top

About

profile

Hi, Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and explore Craftulate!! This blog was started in January 2013 and offers a wide range of arts, crafts, activities, fun games, printables for toddlers, young children and kids of all ages. Find More

Contact

  • Contact
  • Advertising
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

Craftulate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2022 Craftulate - Art and Crafts for Kids