Embedded Files
Learning to Cut
Learning to Cut
Your child is ready to cut when they can imitate a thumbs up! This tell us the thumb is strong enough to stand up and open scissors. The stages of scissor skills are shown below starting with ripping, then scissor positioning, snipping, and cutting fringe. Always remember, thumbs up!
Your child is ready to cut when they can imitate a thumbs up! This tell us the thumb is strong enough to stand up and open scissors. The stages of scissor skills are shown below starting with ripping, then scissor positioning, snipping, and cutting fringe. Always remember, thumbs up!
*Scissors should be supervised by an adult and put away when done.*
*Scissors should be supervised by an adult and put away when done.*
Ripping
Ripping paper helps prepare the hands for doing opposite tasks. Try ripping junk mail.
Cut
Scissor positioning
Use blunt tip scissors
Have your child imitate thumbs up
Thumb dives down into little hole
You can put a piece of colored tape on the thumb hole
Fingers in large hole
Pick up from table top
Hold scissors thumb up to open/close
Tuck your elbow by your side
Snipping
Try snipping straws, playdough snake, paper
Don’t try to cut on lines yet
You may need to help your child hold the item
Helper hand holds the straw or paper.
Put scissors down when done to teach safety
Cut Fringe
Now put 2-3 snips together on a line.
Helper hands holds the paper.
Try using an index card, cardstock, or thick paper (it is easier for your child to hold)
Practice stopping the scissors at a sticker or dot
Put scissors down when done to teach safety
Cutting Lines
Your child is ready to cut lines after they have learned how to position scissors, control scissors to snip and to cut fringe. The stages of cutting lines are shown below starting with cutting straight lines, then cutting an angle, cutting multiple angles, and finally cutting curves. Scroll down below to get print cutting worksheets to practice with your child at home.
*Scissors should be supervised by an adult and put away when done.*
Cut straight lines
Start with an index card with a bold line
Cutting hand holds the scissors
Helper hand holds the paper
Helper hand climbs up the paper while cutting hand cuts
Helper Hand “climbs the ladder”
Put scissors down when done to teach safety
See PDF printout to practice below
Cut 1 angle
use a bold line on thick paper with a visual cue to stop the scissors and turn the paper
“Cut, STOP at the dot, turn, cut”
Angle in picture is for a right hander.
Right handers turn better towards the left
Leftys turn better towards the right
Put scissors down when done to teach safety
Cut shapes with angles
Remember to stop at the corner, then turn, then cut
Start with large or right angles before a triangle
Scissors stay open while turning
Put scissors down when done to teach safety
See PDF printout to practice below
Cutting Curves
Use helper hand to turn the paper while cutting
Scissor hand also turns
Put scissors down when done to teach safety
Cut circular shapes
right-handers starts on the right side of the circle
Leftys start on the left side
See PDF printout to practice below
Print and practice cutting skills at home.
cut staight lines RIGHT HAND.pdfCut squares with dots.pdfcut circle practice.pdfcut staight lines LEFT HAND.pdfcut square triangle circle.pdfPage updated
Report abuse