Teaching children skills to use scissors to safety parents cannot be ignored

Cutting with scissors requires smooth coordination of the baby's fingers. Therefore, you need to teach children skills to use scissors so that they do not cut off the hand.

Although many 3 - 4 year olds already have the skills to use scissors, most of these skills will not be fully developed until 6 years old. If your baby is becoming interested in using scissors, try the following steps to teach your child skills to use scissors safely.

Choose a good pair of scissors

Scissors come in many sizes. So find a pair of scissors that fits the child's hand. For beginners to cut, you should choose scissors that do not have sharp ends, and the tongue is sharp enough for children to cut the first cut.

Left-handed children should hold the left hand. If so, choose a pair of scissors where the top edge of the scissors is also on the left so that the child can see the cut. Be careful with scissors for ambidextrous, as the upper blade of these scissors is usually on the right side, making it difficult for lefties to see the cut.

Children with special needs such as weak hands or problems with coordination may need special scissors that are suitable for starting and will make certain improvements over time. There are many functional scissors available specifically for children with physical limitations. For example, the scissors with only the tip will automatically open after cutting. These scissors are very useful for children with weak arms and limited coordination.

As a parent, you often tend to choose for your child safety scissors when starting to cut. However, these scissors are often quite dull and difficult to cut, making it difficult for children to cut so they are easily discouraged.

Teach children safe conditions when using scissors

The safety issue of using scissors is very important and should be emphasized when a child is just starting to practice. You should teach your children the following rules:

Scissors are for cutting paper only

Scissors are used only to cut paper, not to cut anything, including shirts, crayons, fingers, hair and lips. If your child cuts something other than paper, pay attention and stop it. If this continues, the child will be foreclosed and no longer allowed to use it.

Avoid moving while holding scissors

Children are not allowed to move around the classroom with scissors in their hands. If you must do so, you should teach your child how to hold the scissors safely. Remove the fingers from the handle of the scissors, close the tongue pull, grasp the tongue pull in the palm of your hand. When moving should hold the scissors close to the body. In this way, children will avoid unnecessary risks.

Practice fine motor skills

Before teaching your child to use scissors, you should organize some fun activities to help your child increase strength and improve hand and finger coordination. You can try having your child use a food clip to move small blocks from one container to another. Alternatively, you can try the following activities:

Tear paper into small pieces to improve both hand coordination.

Punch holes in cardboard with punchers to enhance hand muscles and coordination skills.

Squeeze water out of tub toys

Finger puppet games help kids become dexterous and flexible.

Teach children skills to use scissors from the way they hold scissors

Once your child's arm muscles have strengthened and coordination has improved, start practicing with scissors. You can try the following instructions:

Fix your wrist, insert your thumb into the small hole of the scissors.

Insert the middle finger into the other hole. Some scissors have enough space for either your ring finger or all other fingers.

Place your index finger outside the pull hole, in front of the middle finger, this finger acts as a "guide".

The ring finger and the little finger should be rolled into the palm of the hand (unless the ring finger is in the hole with the middle finger).

Encourage your child to cut himself

When they get used to handling and manipulating scissors, they are ready to cut themselves. Children can start by cutting colorful straws into small pieces, then forming a colorful bracelet. If your child is used to it, let them practice cutting other harder things such as a cardboard sheet, an old binder ...

When practicing, have your child cut straight lines, curves and simple shapes. Initially, you can draw thick and bold lines for children to practice. As your child gets used to it, draw thinner lines. When teaching your child the skills of using scissors, you need time and patience.