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Scissor Practice + Cutting Tray Ideas (at 3-4yrs)

Cutting Scissor Tray Sheet Activities pizza  dinosaurs  hair  folded shapes preschool

Are you looking for some new scissor activities to try? I've been looking for some new scissor activities that are at my child's skill level but are also interesting and will attract the child. There is no use in preparing these activities if the child doesn't choose to do them. We need to update the children's activities as their skills develop but also as their interests change. We've found all of these activities interesting and fun:

  • Pizza Cutting - these have been the biggest hit. We've used the half fraction right up to sixths. 
  • Dinosaur Cut Out Shapes - I like these over simple outlines of shapes as the child finds them more interesting. We also have some similar cutting sheets ready for other themes like insects. 
  • Folded  Shape Cut Outs - the child cuts the folded shape and then unfolds it to reveal the whole shape. We can start with simple shapes like a heart shape or circle and later move onto more complex shapes like a tree, airplane, or leaves. 
  • Hair Cutting - these are just so much fun.

Pizza cutting scissor practice cards activity at How we Montessori preschool (1)

These pizzas can also be used to teach fractions. My three-year-old loves this cutting activity. The line to cut on is nice, clear, and easy to see. 

Cutting pizza shapes scissor work at how we montessori three four year old

The line to cut on is also straight, so it's not so complex. 

Cutting pizza shapes scissor work at how we montessori three four year old

We can use these pizza pieces for counting or addition. 

Cutting pizza thirds at How we Montessori cutting scissor practice

We could also use the pieces later for pretend play. Pizza shop perhaps. 

Dinosaur cutting scissor sheet activity at How we Montessori

Rather than just cutting out simple shapes I like this option of cutting out dinosaurs, or other things of interest to the child with a colour background.

*cutting at three year old dinosaur shapes at How we Montessori

These shapes are great for developing wrist rotation and hand strength. 

*cutting at three year old dinosaur shapes at How we Montessori

We can use the dinosaurs later for pasting. 

Folded shapes cutting scissor practice sheets at How we Montessori (1)

These were a bit of a surprise. I had to encourage my child to snip them folded, but once he understood what was required, he was onto it. 

Cutting folded shapes at How we Montessori

The thin line is a little tricky to cut on. 

Folded cutting sheets at How we Montessori

But we got there! 

Folded cutting sheets at How we Montessori

And open. We could also do this with something little a butterfly shape. 

Hair cut scissor practice sheet face at How we Montessori jpeg

Haircutting. I think all kids love this! 

Hair cutting activity sheet at How we Montessori

Resources: Children's Scissors, Pizza Fraction Cut-Outs, Dino Cutting Sheets, Folded Shapes Cutting Sheets, Hair Tracing Sheets

Other cutting/scissor practice articles include:

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