Learning how to use scissors is a big and very important developmental activity for a small child. It is a complicated application of fine muscles, bilateral control (the hands working in tandem with each other), and visual-motor accuracy. Good scissor skills are the basis of classroom crafts, artwork and even some writing preparation work because they develop the hand strength and dexterity required to control a pencil. We take this essential skill at Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready in the same deliberate, step-by-step philosophy that characterizes our whole program. In Kinder Ready Tutoring, we also assist young learners to learn safe, confident, and effective scissors use, turning what may seem a challenging tool into a creative achievement and a confidence-creating tool.
It has started long before a child takes his first cut, and has activities that train the backbone strength and coordination that are needed. The use of a scissor will also require a developed pincer grip, thumb control and the helper hand to stabilize the paper. Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley’s approach takes care of these requirements by means of special fine motor play. During tutoring, children may use child-safe tongs or squeezers to move small objects, work with therapeutic putty to improve the strength of hand arches, or use a hole punch on heavy paper. The activities are similar to the scissors movement and the hand strength that is required to open and close the scissors. More than that, we involve the thumbs up pose of both hands, which means that our habits are safe and ergonomic even at the beginning. This preparation phase is vital in avoiding frustration and forming an appropriate form that is in tandem with the mission, developing skills progressively and successfully.
As soon as a child is prepared, we start cutting with a success and safety orientation. Learning to open and close the scissors in the air, learning to do the isolated movement with a hand, is often the first step. Next, we start with extremely easy-to-use materials that offer some sensory response, and these include chopping playdough into snakes or cutting the edges of a heavy sheet of cardstock. This practice is best practised in Kinder Ready Tutoring sessions, which are a supervised environment. The teacher directs the hands of the child and gives continuous and positive reinforcement in cases of necessity. Then to shorter, straight lines, drawn between two bold points, on strong paper, and then to more extended lines, soft curves, and at last to mere forms.
Finally, learning to use scissors is also a source of independence and expression of creativity in a child. Having the capability to cut shapes that can be used in a collage, cut paper that can be used in a project or even make paper snowflakes is empowering on a huge scale. One-on-one tutoring in a Kinder Ready Tutoring session means that the pacing can be tailored to each individual and that instant feedback is obtained to immediately ensure that the skills are mastered correctly. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready will be able to provide the children with the necessary academic background. Still, as part of our holistic preparation program, it is important to add this practical life skill and give the children the practical skills and confidence they will need to continue their learning path in kindergarten, with all its creative and hands-on learning available.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady