Here is a great post that goes into more detail about mastering the grasp/release motion needed for scissor success.Ģ. There are many games available that involve tongs (and, bonus points, they also help with developing kids’ pencil grasp!). This could include playing with items such as salad/serving tongs (learn 50 fun ways to play with tongs!), turkey basters, chip clips or clothespins, squirt bottles, or squeezy condiment bottles (great for water play or making cotton balls zoom across the table). Think about it - the “open/close” or “squeeze/release” movement pattern is the foundation of operating scissors. Provide opportunities to engage with items that require an open/close motion of the hand. ⇒ Tips for helping kids learn to snip with scissors:ġ. But with specific, intentional, supervised practice, even young kids can develop the skills they need to be scissor superstars! Were you surprised by any of the scissor skill milestones? Didn’t think a toddler was capable of using scissors?! Obviously we don’t want to simply hand a pair of scissors to a toddler or preschooler and let them go nuts. THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESSION OF SCISSOR SKILLSĬan snip forward along a line (not continuous motions forward)Ĭan cut 6 inches along a straight line (¼ inch wide) after demonstration and without assistance, staying within ¼ inch of the lineĬan cut 6 inches along a curved line (¼ inch wide) after demonstration and without assistance, staying within ¼ inch of the lineĬan cut out a circle of at least 6 inches in diameter without assistance, staying within ½ inch of the lineĬan cut out a square at least 3 inches wide without assistance, staying within ½ inch of the lineĬan cut out a triangle at least 3 inches wide without assistance, staying within ½ inch of the lineĬan cut out pictures after demonstration that are at least 6 inches in length and width and whose outlines are no more than ¼ inch wide, while following the general shapeĬan cut cloth for at least 6 inches using sharp scissors under close, careful supervisionĬan cut out complex pictures by following the outlines without assistance HOW TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCISSOR SKILLS So stick around at the end of the post to see what other handy tips they’ve put together for you! This post contains affiliate links for your convenience, which means I may receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase (see full disclosure). And, as part of our series, my fellow therapy bloggers have put together additional posts to help you in your quest to support the development of scissor skills. Whether you are a parent, educator, or fellow therapist, I hope today’s post will give you some helpful information and tips to promote scissor skill development for the kid(s) in your life. Today, as part of our next installment in the Functional Skills for Kids Series, I’m going to spend some time discussing how scissor skills develop, plus share practical strategies you can use TODAY to help kids progress in their scissor cutting abilities! These are skills that are also needed for success in play and learning. Proficient scissor use requires foundational components such as postural stability, hand strength and dexterity, hand-eye coordination, bilateral integration, sensory integration, sequencing, rhythm, and attention. As a pediatric Occupational Therapist, I feel scissor skills are an undervalued area of development for which many parents and educators are underprepared.
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