SCISSORS SKILLS FOR 2-3 YEAR OLDS

When I started kindergarten way back in 1985, my school offered a full day or half day option. I am fairly certain that I did the 1/2 day option 5 days a week until my family moved on Valentine’s Day 1986, and I began a new full day school. I don’t remember much about those early school days. I remember my teacher, Ms. Beth. She had the loveliest, long, reddish blonde hair and a laugh that lit up the whole room. Nothing in her class felt like work. It all felt like games. And to be honest, my kindergarten experience was probably a lot more play based than kindergarten is now- no matter how warm or engaging the kindergarten teacher may be. Our increased focus on academic work has put pressure on preschools and parents of preschoolers to make sure that their kids are “ready” for kindergarten.

So how can we help our preschoolers to develop adequate fine motor skills to meet the demands of kindergarten? Here are some tips to get those little hands moving!

Remember, they are still figuring it out so it’s ok to use hand over hand assistance as necessary to teach proper grip when they’re getting started! Make it fun!!

USE SONGS:

  • With two and three year olds, songs and silliness go a long way to help you teach new skills. Sing “Where is Thumbkin?” and practice lots of finger identification songs

REPEATED PRACTICE:

  • Try lots of open/ close and squeeze/ release activities

  • Use spray bottles to help “clean up” the classroom, kitchen, or bathroom

  • Use a spray bottle to help “water” plants in the classroom or at home

  • Tear paper for collage activities

  • Squeeze, roll, pinch or push playdough

  • Begin teaching proper scissor grip with play dough scissors during play

PRACTICE WITH TONGS: Try sugar tongs if others are too big or amazon has a variety of small plastic tongs that are perfect for fine motor practice!

  • Race to see who can pick up poms and place them the fastest! * Use tongs to place poms in an icecube tray.

  • Use tongs during sensory play

LET THEM TRY WITH SCISSORS:

  •  Begin with thin strips of paper for them to practice snipping so that they have success

GET ON YOUR BELLY:

  • Incorporate as many prone (lying on stomach) activities as you can to strengthen core and shoulder girdle muscles- propped up on their elbows on the floor to play games, to draw/ color, etc

Amanda Garner