Curriculum Corner

A Cut Above

One important skill taught in the early years at school is how to cut something properly using scissors! Whilst often messy, it is a skill that will be used throughout someone’s life. 

The ability to use scissors is an important step for young children as it enhances their fine motor abilities, hand-eye coordination, and bilateral coordination. Cutting with scissors also helps children improve their concentration and focus, as they need to follow lines and shapes carefully. 

You can support your children in developing scissor skills at home by providing child-safe scissors and a variety of materials to cut, such as paper, playdough, and fabric. Start with simple tasks like cutting straight lines and gradually progress to more complex shapes. Encourage your child to use both hands, one to hold the scissors and the other to guide the material. 

Children will cut with their dominant hand. Research suggests that the majority of children show a dominant hand preference by 3 years and most by school age, however, some actually establish hand dominance as late as 8 or 9 years old. Don’t try to choose the dominant hand for your child, but observe which hand is used the most often or is more skilful.

More information on the developmental milestones involving using scissors, including at what age children should be able to do different things  can be found here.