Newspaper or Tissue Paper Fringe (Fine Motor)

Cutting fringe 

There is available a four-hole adaptive scissor where an adult puts fingers in the top 2 holes and the child places fingers in the bottom 2 holes. These help to teach the proper grasp and how the scissors feel to open and close.  They are called Dual Control Training Scissors
The next level up is a scissor with a spring called a self-opening scissor. These allow a child to apply pressure to cut and then open up automatically when the pressure is released. It teaches the first step in cutting - applying pressure to close the scissors.

Practice cutting playdough or index cards  

Cutting is a necessary skill for preschoolers and elementary children. Children that are two years old can begin learning how to cut with scissors. Cutting builds up the muscles in the palm of their hand which will be used for gripping - pulling clothes on, brushing teeth, or painting.  It is also important for building eye-hand coordination which is using their field of vision,  processing what they see, and then move their hand while looking at something.  Just watch a one-year-old work on this skill - it can be difficult and needs lots of practice.  (feeding themselves with bits of food or a spoon) Older children use eye-hand coordination for zipping up jackets, tying shoes, throwing balls, etc. Cutting also encourages bilateral coordination - using both hands but each hand is doing something different.  Think of cutting out a paper circle - one hand is using the scissors while the other hand is moving the paper.  Encourage the use of cutting by having an art box ready to share with different types of papers to cut and glue

QUESTIONS FOR CHILD

What jobs can you think of where cutting is an important part of what they do? 

Would you rather be a barber/hairstylist or a mechanic?