There are many fine motor skills that kids need to develop for kindergarten.  One of my kids’ favorite skills to work on is scissor practice!  Which is a good thing because in kindergarten the focus changes from learning how to use scissors to cutting things out on a regular basis.

Teach Kids How to Use Scissors

1.  Get the right scissors.

Young kids need to use child size scissors.  Start with the blunt tip scissors as first and move up to the pointed tip version once they begin to master the skill.  Make sure that kids who use their left hands to write and cut get the opportunity to practice cutting with left handed scissors.

2.  Correct position. 

This is so important!  Show kids how your thumb points up when you are cutting and demonstrate how to make the cutting motion. If you have a child that cuts with his elbow up in the air and his thumb turned down you can put a sticker on his thumb and remind him to keep the sticker up while cutting.

3.  Cut different materials.

Cutting paper is fun but it isn’t the only thing kids can use for practice.  Kids who are first developing this skill may find it easier to practice cutting other things first.

Some of our favorites:

1. play dough
2. straws
3. cooked spaghetti
4. ribbon that is tied between two points
5. index cards
6. crepe paper
7. tissue paper
8. stiff felt
9. magazines
10. newspapers
11. yarn
12. thin cardboard boxes
13. stickers on paper or card stock (this is easier to do than cutting along a line)

4.  Cut for a purpose.

Not every practice session has to have a purpose in mind, but sometimes it is rewarding for kids to see their hard work used for something.  We have a container where we keep scraps that they have cut to use for craft projects.  They have used the pieces to make collages, on sticky walls, and in many of their art creations. 

Scissors We Like for Preschoolers

(affiliate links included for your convenience)

1. Fiskars Kids Scissors with Blunt Tip
2. Fiskars Student Scissors Pointed-Tip
3. Fiskars Softgrip Left-Handed Kids Scissors

 

Thank you to My Cute Graphics for the use of this superhero kids graphic.

This post is part of our Get Ready for K Through PLAY! series where a group of bloggers share weekly ideas that you can do to help get your child ready for kindergarten. Check out the Kindergarten fine motor readiness activities shared by the other hosts:

55 Ways to Make Handwriting Practice Fun for Kids from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Fine Motor Practice with Straws from Mess for Less

Fine Motor Crafts for Kids from Toddler Approved

Playful Ways to Develop Fine Motor Skills from Mama Smiles

Simple Fine Motor Activities for at Home from Rainy Day Mum

And catch up on my other Get Ready for K Through PLAY! posts too!

Next week we’ll all be back sharing activities to develop the alphabet and phonics skills needed for Kindergarten!

In the meantime be sure to follow our Get Ready for K Through PLAY! Pinterest Board for a huge collection of Kindergarten readiness activities!