Scissor skills can improve with spaghetti! Isn’t that funny? How can scissor skills spaghetti sensory play help? Cutting spaghetti will stimulate the senses and allow kids to explore cutting a new texture. It’s not only brilliant; it’s FUN! This spaghetti cutting activity for preschoolers is a unique way to take the pressure off to strengthen small hands.
RELATED: Did you know that scissor skills are also related to pencil grip?
How this spaghetti cutting activity for preschoolers started
It all started with a note in my preschooler’s backpack and some leftover spaghetti. It read, Please practice cutting at home with your preschooler. (This is a common note placed in preschoolers’ backpacks to help improve scissor skills.)
Preschool teachers know that the more we practice at home, the more prepared children will be for school. – The BIG school. As in, Kindergarten.
We want to send our children off to Kindergarten with fine motor skills such as scissor skills under their belt so they can focus more on the more complex skills.
This is just one of the reasons why we keep scissors in our art cart.
I can hear you over the world wide web screaming; you do what?! You keep scissors where they can have unlimited access?! So let’s chat a little about that before diving into the spaghetti cutting activity for preschoolers.
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Why do I offer kid scissors to my child?
The more I allow my boys access to scissors, the more comfortable they become with handling them. Even my two-year-old is allowed access to the scissors to become familiar with how they feel in his hands. If you aren’t quite ready for your toddler to cut, you can begin with these terrific toddler activities.
How do you introduce scissors to kids?
The trick is to begin by guiding your preschooler along. Just like other fine motor activities, it takes time for strength and momentum to build.
Scissor skill tips:
- Show your child the blunt edge kid scissors.
- Remind your child that we know what and who is around us when we hold scissors.
- Model how to hold scissors for your child.
- Place a small sticker on your child’s thumb to remind them where to place the thumb when cutting.
- Remind your child that they only cut paper (or, in this case, spaghetti)
- Give your child plenty of time to hold the scissors how they feel comfortable and work their way into the proper grip.
Scissor skills improve with practice.
Just like riding a bike or holding a pencil, scissors skills improve over time. If we do not provide time to improve cutting, your child may still continue to struggle.
Sometimes practice can be as simple as cutting dotted lines; other times, it can be something different, like cutting flowers.
Here, you will invite your preschooler to cut the spaghetti. (a little twist on sensory play)
RELATED: Wait, why is sensory play important? I created a simple guide for you to learn more about the importance of sensory play for kids.
What are the best kid scissors?
As a former teacher, I like to use Westcott blunt-edge kid scissors with my toddler and preschooler.
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Blunt-edge kid scissors
We keep scissors accessible in our art cart. With my teaching and parenting experience, scissors are used properly when they become part of everyday supplies.
Add some holiday interests!
You can even add objects into your spaghetti scissor practice to make a holiday or seasonal activity. Here, we added eyeballs to add anticipation for Halloween and called it, Spaghetti and Eyeballs.
When will you have your preschooler cut spaghetti?
FAQ
Preschoolers learn to cut with experience. Most children do not want help adjusting their grip when cutting. In this case, let your child explore cutting on their own terms, and you will notice a better grip develop from practice. If your child is willing, draw a smiley face on the thumbnail and encourage them to keep their thumb up as they cut.
Children learn hand-eye coordination and how to hold a steady hand through cutting. Cutting is an essential skill to master upon entering Kindergarten.
Show your child how you hold scissors in your hand. Pass the scissors to your child and allow them to grow comfortable with how scissors open and close before hovering to correct. Provide many opportunities for your toddler and preschooler to cut their own designs from scraps of paper. You should notice the grip improve over time.
