Snip and Cut Practice
To introduce scissor skills and develop bilateral coordination through snipping activities.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Physical Development
- Learning area: Physical Development
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Opens and closes scissors
- Makes single snips in paper
- Holds paper with non-dominant hand
- Shows developing bilateral coordination
Materials
- Safety scissors with spring-back action
- Strips of paper and card
- Playdough snakes
- Snipping lines on paper
Instructions
INTRODUCING SCISSORS SAFELY: Teach how to hold scissors: 'Thumb in the small hole, fingers in the big hole.' Show the open-close action without paper first.
STARTING WITH PLAYDOUGH: Cutting playdough 'sausages' into pieces is easier than paper. It teaches the open-close action with immediate, satisfying results.
PROGRESSING TO PAPER: Offer narrow strips of paper (2-3cm wide) so one snip cuts all the way across. This gives instant success.
HAND POSITIONING: Show how to hold paper with the other hand: 'Helper hand holds the paper, scissor hand cuts.' Bilateral coordination is the key skill.