Scissor Skills
Learning to use scissors in a controlled way takes lots of Cutting
materials that are stiff and thick (easier to cut than thin flimsy materials).
For example, it's easier to snip a plastic straw than
cutting a string. Card stock paper is easier to learn on then thin
tissue paper or regular paper.
Encourage your child to keep "thumbs up"; that is, when cutting,
the thumb on the scissor hand and the thumb on the hand that is
holding the paper or object should both be up toward the ceiling.
Snipping: this is just opening and closing the blades without advancing forward on the paper.
Make lots of snips along the edges of paper or a paper plate to make it look like fringe or grass.
Lines: Next the child will be able to cut along a wide line (1/8 to 1/4 inch wide)
for about 6 inches. Eventually, the child will be able to cut across the width of a page of paper,
cutting it in half.
Circles: By age 4, they can begin to work on cutting out circles.
More Shapes: By age 5, work on cutting out triangles, then squares.
Curves: From age 5 to 6, they can cut along a curved line, and eventually cut out
complex shapes depending upon the experiences given them.
Look for scissors that have a large hole to fit 2 fingers and a smaller thumb hole.
The index and middle fingers should be in the large hole.
Two fingers opposing the thumb give them more power for controlling the scissors.
The ring and pinky fingers should be tucked into the palm. Children's Fiskar scissors work
well for both right and left handed children.
What Can I Do To Help My Child Grow As A Learner?
The Power of Parent Talk
Your chid's brain is actively developing
*Talk, talk, talk and talk some more to your young child.
*Use vocabulary associated with whatever your are doing/playing even if you think your child does not yet know the word
*Read aloud to your child: stories, picture books, the weather report, the grocery list, a text from a grandparent
*Speak aloud what you notice your child doing whether to compliment them on a new skill or their effort at something they cannot do YET.
Mrs. Morrissey explains How to Handle a Book, a Massachusetts learning standard for preschool
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VzH1Kh7J6E0XFN7Mu53_BWLps9sR4Zev/view?usp=share_link
Looking for an Interesting Read?
*The Incredible Years: A Trouble-Shooting Guide for Parents of Children
Aged 2-8 by Carolyn Webster Stratton
*How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
*Yardsticks by Chip Wood (an easy to read chart of developmental milestones by age 4 - 14)
Reminder for Parents Who Want to Volunteer--CORI Checks
Reminder If you want to volunteer in schools, you must have a CORI check conducted and you must go into the building with identification (drivers license or passport) to do this. Click here for description of what a CORI check is and does. Without a CORI check, you cannot volunteer in the school. Here is the form to fill out for a CORI. Preschool volunteer opportunities include being a Mystery Reader for the class, presenting a family tradition and supporting special projects.
