Learning to cut with scissors helps a child learn to do so much more than just cut!
Check out the great skills it builds below.
- Builds hand strength – Opening and closing scissors helps children build up the small muscles in their hands. These muscles are important for everyday activities such as drawing, using cutlery, brushing your teeth and getting dressed.
- Develops hand-eye coordination – Children learn to watch where they are cutting, using their eyes to guide how they should move next. This is important for activities such as playing sports, getting dressed and cooking.
- Learn to use both sides of their body – Cutting encourages children to do different things with each side of their body – one hand holds the paper whilst the other hand holds the scissors. This is called “bilateral coordination” and is important for everyday activities such as zipping up coats and pants, doing the dishes and writing.
- Improve attention – Using scissors to cut out shapes or cut along a line takes concentration and attention to detail. The ability to pay attention for longer and longer periods of time is important to be able to listen and learn in the classroom, read books and ride a bike.
If you have concerns about your child’s fine motor skills, bestchance’s Occupational Therapists can help in either individual or group sessions. Our Specialist group program “Happy Hands” may be just what you are looking for. Call 8562 5164.
