As parents and caregivers, we’re always looking for ways to support our toddlers' development. One important skill that lays the foundation for many future activities is learning to use scissors. While it may seem tricky at first, teaching your toddler how to safely and effectively use scissors can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Not only does it help develop fine motor skills, but it also opens the door for creative, hands-on learning. After raising toddlers and teaching kindergarten, I’ve picked up a few helpful tips that can make this process easier (and a lot of fun!).
Bonus Tip: The earlier you start, the more fun projects you can do together using scissors!
Step 1: Start with Playdough
Before diving into cutting paper, begin with playdough. Playdough is soft and easy to cut, making it an excellent starting point for scissors practice. Plus, child-safe scissors aren’t sharp, so they’re perfect for this stage. Let your toddler explore cutting through playdough, shaping it, and creating little pieces. You can spend a few days or even a few weeks on this step, depending on how comfortable your toddler feels. The key here is allowing them to experiment and get used to the motion of cutting.
Step 2: Move on to Paper Cutting
Once your toddler feels confident with playdough, it’s time to move on to cutting paper. Start with construction paper or any scrap paper you have on hand. Let them try cutting the paper freely at first, but be sure to gently guide them if they start using scissors incorrectly. Don’t worry if the cuts aren’t perfect—this is all about building muscle memory and confidence. It’s important to keep the experience fun and positive, so be patient and offer encouragement as needed.
Step 3: Add the Scissors Song
To make the learning process even more engaging, introduce a fun song about using scissors! This catchy tune has been my secret weapon in teaching kindergarteners how to cut for the past seven years. It’s not only entertaining, but it also helps toddlers remember the right way to hold and use their scissors. You can find me singing it over on my Instagram page (don’t expect a Grammy, though!). Singing while cutting adds rhythm to the process, making it more enjoyable and memorable for your child.
Wrapping It Up
Teaching your toddler to use scissors is a gradual process, but with a little patience and practice, they’ll soon gain the fine motor skills they need for many future activities. Start with playdough, move to paper, and add a song for extra fun. As you watch your child gain confidence and independence, you’ll see how this simple skill can spark their creativity and open up new learning opportunities. Happy cutting!
Final Step: Practice Cutting using the Scissors Song
Included are 3 cutting pages to practice cutting (print as many times as you’d like to get lots of cutting practice). This is a fun activity to keep in your morning basket or practice during the day. Your child will really enjoy cutting and eventually making projects very soon with you!
