How young is too young for a child to be using a pair of scissors?
I happily give two years olds a pair. I would have given several of the eighteen month olds scissors too if we had them in our room all the time and wouldn’t been seen as a novelty.
Some of those two year olds are unsure how to hold and use them and will watch carefully of how the others are using them.
Some become frustrated quickly and put the scissors down.
Others pick it up and can use them with ease.
What Should You Do?
Provide numerous opportunities to use scissors. If you have the pencils and textas out, why not put the scissors and glue out too?
Support them as they are using the scissors. It is not that easy to use scissors for the first time, try and think from how it feels for them to be using and learning about new technology.
Supervise. They are scissors and while they are probably “child” scissors you still need to watch them.
Demonstrate how to use them. Sit alongside the children as they are cutting and you cut too.
Use smaller groups. I would suggest having four-five at the table with you while cutting. It is easier to assist and model with a smaller group.
Provide scissors all the time. This makes them less of a novelty and shows the children you know that they are capable.
Do you incorporate cutting with scissors into your programs with the younger children?
