Scissor Practice + Cutting Tray Ideas (at 3-4yrs)

Are you looking for some new scissor activities to try? I've been looking for some new scissor activities that are at my child's skill level but are also interesting and will attract the child. There is no use in preparing these activities if the child doesn't choose to do them. We need to update the children's activities as their skills develop but also as their interests change. We've found all of these activities interesting and fun:

• Pizza Cutting - these have been the biggest hit. We've used the half fraction right up to sixths.
• Dinosaur Cut Out Shapes - I like these over simple outlines of shapes as the child finds them more interesting. We also have some similar cutting sheets ready for other themes like insects.
• Folded Shape Cut Outs - the child cuts the folded shape and then unfolds it to reveal the whole shape. We can start with simple shapes like a heart shape or circle and later move onto more complex shapes like a tree, airplane, or leaves.
• Hair Cutting - these are just so much fun.

These pizzas can also be used to teach fractions. My three-year-old loves this cutting activity. The line to cut on is nice, clear, and easy to see.

The line to cut on is also straight, so it's not so complex.

We can use these pizza pieces for counting or addition.

We could also use the pieces later for pretend play. Pizza shop perhaps.

Rather than just cutting out simple shapes I like this option of cutting out dinosaurs, or other things of interest to the child with a colour background.

These shapes are great for developing wrist rotation and hand strength.

We can use the dinosaurs later for pasting.

These were a bit of a surprise. I had to encourage my child to snip them folded, but once he understood what was required, he was onto it.

The thin line is a little tricky to cut on.

But we got there!

And open. We could also do this with something little a butterfly shape.

Haircutting. I think all kids love this!

Resources: Children's Scissors, Pizza Fraction Cut-Outs, Dino Cutting Sheets, Folded Shapes Cutting Sheets, Hair Tracing Sheets.

Other cutting/scissor practice articles include:

• Three New Cutting (with Scissors) Trays - at 2.5 Years
• First Cutting Trays - 18 months to three years
• Our Favourite Cutting Strips - at Three Years (36 months)
• Montessori Scissor Work Ideas
• What Are The Best Scissors for Montessori Toddlers? We Road Test 10 Pairs including Safety & Spring Assisted Scissors

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