Cutting Skills

The Ripping Stage

As kids rip paper, they are using both of their hands to pull paper in opposite directions. As their hands work on different tasks, they are developing bilateral coordination– an important developmental milestone! They are also learning how to manually cut paper and finding joy in doing so. Allow them to continue ripping paper before moving on to the next skill…

The Fringe Cutting Stage

This is the stage where scissors are in a child’s hands. With supervision, kids can start making snips up the paper. They won’t yet be able to cut through an entire sheet, but they can make small snips like hula skirt fringe.

The Snipping Stage

Snipping refers to the act of cleanly cutting through paper in one motion. A child who can snip will be able to cut through a narrow strip of paper and cut off confetti-like bits with ease. Note: this does not have to be a separate stage from the fringe cutting stage.

The Continual-Cutting Motion Stage

This is the end goal. Continual cutting motion refers to the act of cutting through paper while being able to open and close the blades in a smooth, forward progression. At this stage, kids will be able to start working on cutting with specific goals in mind (cutting a straight line, curved line, zigzag line, etc.)