Scissor use requires foundational components such as postural stability, hand strength, and dexterity, hand-eye coordination, bilateral integration, sensory integration, sequencing,

By 2 years of age:

Can make one snip at a time

By 3 years of age:

Can snip forward along a line (not continuous motions forward)

By 4 years of age:

Can cut 6 inches along a straight line (¼ inch wide) after the demonstration and without assistance, staying within ¼ inch of the line

Can cut 6 inches along a curved line (¼ inch wide) after the demonstration and without assistance, staying within ¼ inch of the line

Can cut out a circle of at least 6 inches in diameter without assistance, staying within ½ inch of the line

By 5 years of age:

Can cut out a square at least 3 inches wide without assistance, staying within ½ inch of the line

Can cut out a triangle at least 3 inches wide without assistance, staying within ½ inch of the line

Can cut out pictures after demonstration that are at least 6 inches in length and width and whose outlines are no more than ¼ inch wide, while following the general shape

By 6 years of age:

Can cut cloth for at least 6 inches using sharp scissors under close, careful supervision

By 6 ½ years of age:

Can cut out complex pictures by following the outlines without assistance

Tips for helping kids learn to snip with scissors:

1. Provide opportunities to engage with items that require an open/close motion of the hand.
2. Provide opportunities for tearing paper,
3. Place scissors in a “thumbs up” position from the very beginning. This means the thumb is in the little hole and is on top when cutting, rather than twisting the forearm inward and snipping with the thumb on the bottom.
4. Try using a visual cue to help the child understand proper hand positioning.
5. Start out by snipping play dough
6. Snip straws. Cherish the giggles as the straw bits fly, then collect them and lace ’em up to make a necklace.
7. Snip thin strips of paper (1-inch across). This will allow your kiddo the satisfaction of fully cutting off a piece with each snip.hm, and attention. These are skills that are also needed for success in play and learning.