She’s A Pediatric Occupational Therapist Discussing What Kind Of Scissor Skills Your Child Should Have At Every Age
Cutting with scissors seems like one of the simpler skills a child can learn. But cutting involves a lot more than just knowing how to open and close a pair of scissors.
There are plenty of other skills that contribute to using scissors successfully, such as balance, stability, and hand-eye coordination.
It’s best to introduce kids to scissors early so they can practice utilizing them and strengthen their abilities.
A TikToker and pediatric occupational therapist named Gabriella (@gabriellatheot) is discussing what kind of scissor skills a child should have at different developmental stages.
At two to two and a half years old, a child learns how to open and close scissors. Once they have mastered that, they can try snipping a piece of paper.
They can make small, haphazard snips but do not expect them to be able to move forward on the paper with the scissors. That’s a more advanced skill they are not yet ready for.
Between ages three to three and a half is when they gain a little more control and begin to cut across the paper. They may also use their other hand to hold the paper while cutting with their dominant hand.
By the time a child hits three and a half or four years of age, they are able to cut in a straight line more neatly and accurately. Draw a thick line on some paper and have your child try to follow it with the scissors.
At four to four and a half, children are able to cut in a circle. And at four and a half to five, they are onto tackling square shapes.
Krakenimages.com – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual child
After that, kids will have the skills to learn how to cut more complex shapes with both curved and straight lines.
Many parents in the comments section were shocked by how early kids need to start being familiarized with scissors.
“Oh shoot. We’re supposed to be giving our 2-year-olds scissors????!” commented one user.
“I always thought squares would come before circles!” exclaimed another.
“Yikes, buying scissors tomorrow. My son is 4, and I’ve never exposed him to them,” admitted someone else.
Some children may need more time to become accustomed to the practice of using scissors, so take your time and go at your child’s pace!
@gabriellatheot Do you let your kids use scissors? #finemotoractivity #parentingtips #childhood
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