Scissor Development:
In order to cut, a child needs to be able to sit up right (in an upright 90/90/90-degree posture at the hips, knees, and ankles), produce sufficient core stability, maintain good balance, in order to produce functional distal mobility and fine motor manipulation skills.
Developmental Sequence for Scissors:
- Skills needed to cut with scissors include:
- Bilateral coordination
- Hand strength
- Isolation of the thumb and fingers in order to grasp and release (open and close) the scissors
- Separation of the two sides of the hand
- Eye-hand coordination
- Open thumb web space
- Scissor placement should always be in the “thumbs up” position, meaning the thumb is in the little hole and the little hole is on top when cutting
- Using a paper with a heavier weight will provide more stability, which allows the child to focus more on operating the scissors, rather than holding the paper
Wrong position: elbow abducted to the side and thumb down cutting position
Correct position: Elbow adducted to the side and thumb up cutting position
Stages of Scissor Development:
- 18 months to 2 years old: children begin holding scissors
- 1.5-2 years: begin learning how to open and close scissors, usually using both hands
- 2 years: snips with scissors and it is appropriate to practice using scissors with play dough or modeling clay
- 2.5 years: cuts across a 6-inch piece of paper
- 3-3.5 years: cuts on a line 6 inches long and the child begins to use their “helping hand” or non-dominant hand to hold the paper and help manipulate it while cutting the paper with the dominant hand
- 3.5-4 years: cuts out a circle with accuracy starting from around ½” from the cutting line and improve to ¼” from the cutting line
- 4-5 years: cuts out a square shape within ¼ inch from the cutting line
- 4-5 years: begin to exercise better control of the scissors as they open and close them. They produce smoother and less jagged lines
- 6-7 years: cuts a variety of shapes (i.e. star)
Scissor Adaptations:
- These lightweight scissors require only ½ the effort of regular scissors. Self-opening handles are operated by gentle pressure between the thumb and fingers or fingers and palm. 8” long and 2 ¾” at its widest point
- Comes in different sizes for children and adults
- Offers right and left-handed scissors
- These scissors have the features of the standard Easi-Grip scissors, but have the added advantage of greater control through placing the fingers through the long loop.
- Alternatively, for those with limited movement, their fingers can be placed over the long loop.
- The tips are short and round.
- A blade guard is included.
- Comes in different sizes for children and adults
- Offers right and left-handed scissors
Within the classroom setting, regular Fiskar scissors will be provided
