Get creative with cutting at home! In addition to encouraging accuracy with cutting on paper, create fun opportunities to cut any of the following:

• Cut straws into small pieces and then string into a necklace

• Roll playdough into worms or snakes, then cut into pieces

• Go on a hunt around the yard for weeds, leaves, grass, then let your child cut and create a nature collage

• When beginning to introduce scissors, first have your child snip paper, then cut straight lines, zig zag lines, curvy lines, and simple shapes.

• Scissor Skills Packet

Practice the following whenever possible:

• Opening/closing velcro attachments

• Pulling apart snaps

• Unzipping large zippers

• Zipping large zippers

• Unbuttoning buttons

• Buttoning buttons

• Lining up and clipping together snaps

• Lining up, hooking and zipping zippers

• Un-tying shoelaces

• Unbuckling/buckling

• Untangling knots in shoelaces

• Tying shoelaces

• Tips for Adapting Buttoning and Zipping

Practicing these at home helps set children up for success and independence at school.

• Practice opening and closing ziploc bags

• Screw and unscrew jars and lids

• Twist off and on caps to bottles

• What kind of containers does your child have in her lunch? Use them to store snacks or toys at home and let your child practice opening and closing them.