This week we introduced the scissors.  The scissors are available for the children to use on a daily basis.  First we talked about scissors safety which basically reminds the children that they are only allowed to cut paper and that they must sit down while cutting with a scissors.  Then, we had the children practice cutting paper strips about 1 1/2 inches wide. 

The children are at different stages of developmental scissor usage.  The stages are (in lowest to highest order):  1.  INTEREST in scissors, 2.  ISOLATE fingers into loop, 3.  OPEN-CLOSE ACTION with assistant with holding the paper, 4.  RANDOM SNIPS without assistance with the paper, 5.  FORWARD MOTION with an aim towards a visual goal, 6.  LATERAL DIRECTION (cuts strips, across paper, on lines), 7.  ANGLES (cuts simple geometric shapes:  square, rectangle, semi-circle, circle), 8.  COMPLEX SHAPES, and 9.  CUTS NON-PAPER MATERIALS. 

Whatever stage your child is at, please help them practice cutting at home (with supervision) to assist them to move to the next developmental stage.