Toddler Scissors: Teach Your Child to Use One | Your child’s fine motor skills and coordination will improve as they learn to cut with scissors. Because they have growing muscles that have never been utilised in this manner before, they must put in a lot of effort and practise. And as you assist children in learning how to use toddler scissors, be patient and supportive.
Scissors Are an Excellent Tool for Developing Fine Motor Skills
Pre-kindergarten is a critical period for developing fundamental abilities, both mental and physical. These fundamental abilities are critical because they serve as the basis upon which the rest of your child’s education and development will be constructed throughout the years. As such, scissors provide mental and physical exercise that helps bridge the gap between the two while also developing strength and coordination in the user. To get started, follow the steps outlined below:
Hands and Fingers Should Be Strengthened
First and foremost, it is critical to strengthen the muscles in your child’s hands and fingers. So, choose some enjoyable activities that encourage them to squeeze their hands and use their fingertips. It will also help them to begin to work together more effectively. Activities such as playing with a top, picking things up with salad tongs, playing with water squirt toys, playing with finger puppets, and shredding paper into bits are all some examples. You’re enhancing their dexterity and fine motor abilities at the same time.
Hand-Eye Coordination Should Be Improved
The act of cutting with toddler scissors provides your youngster with the chance to utilise both hands at the same time while maintaining visual tracking. And the activities they may do to improve their cutting abilities before cutting include shredding paper into tiny pieces, tossing and catching a ball, solving puzzles, and playing with Legos.
Increase the Level of Bilateral Coordination
Bilateral coordination directs to the ability to use both sides of your body at the same time when your hands are engaged in different activities. And, as a result of the use of scissors, this is achieved. Your kid will be required to control the piece with one hand while cutting with scissors in the other, maybe while following a line, to complete the activity. Making holes in index cards and wrapping clothespins around a paper plate are two activities you may perform with your kid to help them build bilateral coordination.
Select the Most Appropriate Scissors
Make every effort to match the size of the scissors to the size of your child’s hand as closely as possible. Use scissors with a blunt tip yet sharp enough to cut the paper rather than fold it in half.
First, Safety Is Paramount
When dealing with young children, it is essential to regularly communicate and demonstrate scissor safety. While it may seem like you’re repeating yourself, it’s important to remember that they need your assistance. Start with the fundamentals, such as what scissors are used for. Strictly speaking, scissors are only helpful for cutting paper. They will not be able to use scissors without the supervision of an adult until you determine that they are ready. And, NEVER let them wander about with a pair of scissors in their hand.
It’s Time to Go to Work
You should bring in the scissors when you believe that your child’s hand and finger strength and coordination have developed enough to warrant doing so. Instruct your youngster on how to handle the scissors correctly. And ensure that they understand which fingers should be placed in which loops of the scissors handles via demonstration. Alternatively, you may use electrical tape to wrap over the thumb hole to help them remember where to place their thumb. Encourage them to maintain their thumb pointing up at all times. Begin with snipping paper, straws, erasers, and other similar items. And when you’re confident that they’ve mastered it, teach them to cut along lines on paper, then curves and zigzag patterns.
Over the years, your kid will be learning and developing at a rapid pace. They gain a great deal of knowledge via play and repetition. They’re growing up cognitively and physically, and they’ll require a lot of practice, patience, and encouragement in the coming years. As such, instructing your youngster on how to use scissors properly can assist them in developing their fine motor skills.
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
Author’s bio: Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
