Scissor Skill Development Checklist for Ages 2-6

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Have you ever wondered when you should introduce your child or student to scissors? It may be a lot earlier than you think. Let's look at scissor skill development for ages 2-6. 

Scissor skill development is a big milestone for young children. Make sure your child has mastered the basic skills with this developmental checklist (see the end of this post for the free handout).

Scissor Skill Development

Let's take a look at each stage of scissor skill development by age.

1.5 to 2 years old || Holds Scissors 

Between the ages of 1.5 to 2 years old, a child learns to hold scissors, often using both hands to open and close the blades.

2 to 2.5 years old || Open/Closes Scissors

At ages 2-2.5 years old, a child learns how to open and close the scissors. They are NOT ready to use them with paper. This is a great time to practice with play dough, modeling clay, or continue to practice tearing paper.

We do not expect the child to hold the scissors with an efficient grasp yet, however, you should introduce the thumbs-up position to them.

2 to 2.5 years old || Snips Paper

Once the child has mastered opening and closing the scissors, they can move on to making small snips on the paper. They are not moving forward on the paper with scissors, just making snips. This can happen soon after or around the time they begin to open and close the scissors, so that is why the ages appropriate recommendations are the same.

However, some children may need more time before introducing the paper. It all depends on their skill level.

Check out my post, 5 tips for introducing scissors to Toddlers here.

3 years old || Snips Paper Moving Forward

By the time a child hits age 3, they are able to make snips on the paper while moving the scissor forward across the paper (keep the paper size to about 6 inches long). 

You can also start encouraging the use of the helper hand to hold the paper while cutting. 

Using small strips of paper, instead of an entire piece of paper for them to hold is easier and often less frustrating for the child. 

3 to 3.5 years old || Uses Helping Hand

Between 3 and 3.5 years old, a child begins to use their “helper hand” or non-dominant hand to hold the paper and help manipulate it while cutting with their dominant hand. 

Remember to encourage a “thumbs up” position while holding both the paper and scissors.

3 to 3.5 years old || Cuts a Straight Line

By age 3 to 3.5, a child can move the scissors along a straight line that is 6 inches long. Their accuracy is still a work in progress, with most cutting within 1/2 inch of the cutting line.

By age 4, their accuracy improves and they are able to cut a 6-inch straight line within 1/4 inch of the cutting line.

4 years old || Cuts a Curved Line

By age 4, a child is able to cut on a curve line that is 1/4 inch wide, staying within 1/4 inch of the cutting line.

4 years old || Cuts a Circle Shape

Also by age 4, once a child has mastered curved lines, they are able to take on circle shapes of at least 6 inches in diameter. Their accuracy will start at around 1/2″ from the cutting line and improve to 1/4 inch from the cutting line as they continue to practice.

4.5 to 5 years old || Cuts a Square Shape 

Between the ages of 4.5 and 5 years old, a child can cut out a square shape within 1/4 inch from the cutting line.

5 to 6 years old || Cuts Complex Shapes

Between the ages of 5-6, a child can begin to cut out more complex shapes such as figures.

It's important to remember that all the recommended ages for each skill are the average age a child can master each skill. Some children may master them earlier, others later. I share the ages so you can see which skills are age-appropriate, not that each skill should be mastered by these ages.

Click to read more about the process of scissor skill development here. 

If you do suspect your child has a delay in fine motor skills, talk to your child's physician and ask for an Occupational Therapy evaluation. An Occupational Therapist can help determine if there is a delay in fine motor skills and give you specific activities to help your child master cutting skills.

Skills Needed for Cutting Success

Cutting involves a lot more than just picking up a pair of scissors and learning how to hold them or open and close them.

Your child needs to be able to sit up appropriately and have good balance and stability. Slouching while cutting will not work. And when a child feels unbalanced, it will make holding the scissors very difficult.

They also need stable shoulders with wrist and finger control, including being able to isolate the thumb and the fingers in order to grasp and release the scissors.

Bilateral coordination, or using both sides of the body together is crucial to cutting. Using both hands together means the dominant hand opens and closes the scissors while the non-dominant hand or “helper hand” holds the paper and rotates it as needed.

You can read more about how to improve bilateral coordination skills here. 

Efficient Hand Placement for Using Scissors 

When holding scissors, either left or right-handed, the thumb goes into the smaller loop on the scissors, with the thumb pointing upwards (thumbs-up position). The index finger wraps around the outside of the bottom loop. The middle finger, 4th, and 5th fingers should grip inside the large loop

Scissor Skill Activities

For more scissor skill activity ideas, check out the links below to other posts on my site and others. 

10 Fall Activities for Scissor Skill Practice

Scissor Practice Packet for Preschoolers through 1st Grade

DIY Scissor & Cutting Practice Toolkit

For even more information on scissor skills and all the developmental skills needed to be successful, check out The Scissor Skills Book. It is written by 10 pediatric Occupational and Physical therapists, including myself.

We cover everything from typical development, adaptive strategies, tips for left-handed uses, and more.

Scissor Skill Development Checklist – Free Handout

I'd love to offer you a free printable download of my scissor skill development checklist. It has all the ages and skills mentioned above, along with a place for you to mark down when your child masters each skill.

It is free for subscribers, so first subscribe to my Growing Hands-On Kids newsletter and you'll get your free printable gift. I send weekly development tips, tools, and strategies just like this one to your inbox each week. Plus, you'll be the first to know about new printables, products I recommend, or any new products I create.

By downloading this printable, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions on my site

References:

Dunn, Marsha Lee. Pre-scissor Skills: Skill starters for motor development. Communication Skill Builders, Inc., 1979.

Exner, Charlotte E. Development of Hand Skills” In J. Case-Smith (ED). Occupational Therapy for Children. Mosby: St. Louis.

Folio. M. Rhonda, Fewell. Rebecca R. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales. 2nd Edition. Austin. Pro-Ed. 2000.

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• 5 Easy Ways to Introduce Scissors to Toddlers
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