How2Day: Paper Cutting Activities for Toddlers

Hold the paper for toddlers as they practice using scissors. Polka Dot/Polka Dot/Getty Images
Learning to cut with scissors is a fairly complicated process that requires hand-eye coordination as well as the ability to control the small muscles in the hands and wrists. Most children can cut successfully by the time they are 4 1/2 to 5 years old. Don't be afraid to let children younger than this begin using scissors, as children need lots of practice to develop cutting skills. Under adult supervision, even toddlers can cut paper with scissors.

Most toddlers have little control over scissors and may struggle just to open and close them. You can show your child how to hold the scissors correctly, gently placing your hand over hers if needed. You can also hold the paper for the child with the long edge facing her. Help the child open and close the scissors to make small snips along the edge of the paper. You can have the toddler cut green paper to make "grass" or cut yellow paper to make "hay." Try turning the paper around and cutting snips along the opposite long edge to make a "feather."

Once your toddler can comfortably open and close the scissors, she may be ready to cut across paper. Again, you can help by holding the paper for her and helping her move the scissors forward while cutting. Toddlers are typically too young to cut along lines or to cut out shapes. Instead, simply focus on cutting a narrow piece of paper in half. You can save the scraps of paper for collages and other art projects to help give your child a sense of accomplishment.

Begin by offering toddlers thick paper, such as card stock or index cards, since thicker paper stays still while children cut it. Using narrow, rectangular strips of paper allows the child to cut around the edges. As children develop scissor skills, you can introduce scrapbooking paper, construction paper or envelopes. These types of paper offer some stability but move slightly as children cut. Continue using narrow rectangular strips that children can cut in half in just one snip. Older toddlers and preschoolers can cut copy paper, notebook paper or magazine pages, which require children to have more control over the paper while cutting. Standard-sized paper is appropriate for children to cut across using several snips.

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