The cool weather is now bringing time for us to settle in and do some fun indoor activities. In particular, we can get our children learning new concepts and skills using the FREE PRINTABLES that I’ve been offering all season long!
Exposure is key when it comes to learning skills. Don’t think that a child is simply not old enough to learn or start practicing something that may be difficult.
You can begin exposing your child to cutting with scissors when they’re 2 years old! Although they won’t be able to do it perfectly or efficiently, they’ll start to get the hang of opening and closing the scissors and the knowledge of what the scissors do.
Below you can download these FREE PRINTABLE winter cutting cards. I’m including one sheet as a sample since the rest is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop. If you’d like to purchase the whole bundle of toddler and preschooler learning and fine motor activities, head over there.
Scroll down for the download!
Tips for Teaching Cutting:
- Make sure you ALWAYS give your child safety scissors at a young age. These are plastic scissors that cut paper, but won’t cut their skin, hair, (or any other precious items in your home).
2. Make sure that they’re holding the paper with their helper hand as they cut with the dominant hand. This may not be a natural motion for young ones so just place your hands on theirs to assist them with figuring this out.
This will help them to develop bilateral coordination, which is using both of their hands together at the same time.
3. Always position the paper in front of them while they are cutting. Some kids may accidentally hold the paper off to the side or way up high.
4. Make sure that their arms, shoulders, and elbows are down and relaxed as they cut right in front of them. As they’re concentrating, children tend to hike up their elbows and cut up high. Keep their elbows relaxed.
5. Be sure that they’re keeping their thumb up on both hands when cutting. The helper hand on the paper should be thumb up, as well as the hand that is cutting with the scissor.
Related Post: Winter Snowman Letter Matching
Winter Cutting Strips
This free download includes one sheet for your preschooler or toddler to get practicing on cutting.
You can print on regular copy paper, however this may be a bit flimsy for little ones to hold. Print on card stock for more durability which also helps to strengthen their hand and finger muscles for fine motor skills.
Be sure to only use maximum 65lb cardstock or it may be too tough for them.
Related Post: Free Printable Winter Mitten Letter Matching
I hope you enjoyed this winter cutting activity for your preschoolers! They will be cutting like a pro in no time!
Check out some more winter activities by browsing the site. Also head over to my Teachers Pay Teachers Shop here to purchase the whole bundle of toddler and preschool winter printable activities!
