Otto (36 months) is now cutting and using scissors with greater accuracy. To help him further improve his accuracy and also improve his fine motor skills we've introduced a range of cutting strips. I love using cutting strips with images as they also help promote language development and they are much more interesting for the child to use. At this age I like to use cutting strips where there is a bit of a gap between the images as they are easier for the young child to use. Here are some of our current favourites.

1. Construction Vehicles 
2. Dogs
3. Cars & Other Vehicles
4. Dinosaurs
5. Vegetables
6. Fruits
7. Lined Cutting Strips

I made the lined cutting strips using these Scissor Exercises as an example (L-R increasing in difficulty). Otto much prefers the cutting strips with images but the lined strips are good to use occasionally. Otto uses the cutting tray a lot so I try to print and cut out many sheets at once. I print my cutting strips on card, as it is firmer than paper it will stick out a little as the child holds it, making it easier to cut. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere you might like these super sweet Fall Cutting Strips. 

You could present them one theme at a time but we like to mix it up a little.

The child snips the image and then posts it into this little container. Later we could use the cut out images for pasting. 

Other articles about cutting trays include:

• Three New Cutting (with Scissors) Trays - at 2.5 Years
• What Are The Best Scissors for Montessori Toddlers? We Road Test 10 Pairs including Safety & Spring Assisted Scissors
• First Cutting Tray - 18 months to three years

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