Mama.Papa.Bubba. -
Menu
Skip to content
  • SHOP
  • preemie
  • baby
  • play
  • craft
  • learn
  • cook
  • DIY
  • kuwait
  • vancouver
  • contact
  • about

Tag Archives: learning to use scissors

Strengthening Scissor Skills with Play Dough

7 / 11 / 137 / 15 / 13

Strengthening Scissor Skills with Play Dough | Mama Papa BubbaOne of the things I’ve always loved doing with students who’ve found using scissors challenging is pairing them with play dough instead of paper.  Let’s face it – learning to use scissors properly is tricky!  First there’s figuring out which fingers go where, plus there’s finding the hand strength and coordination to open and close them, and then there’s also guiding them in the direction you want them to go… Certainly no easy task!  The reason I love play dough is that although many kids come to Kindergarten not all that familiar with using ‘school tools’ like scissors, almost all kids come to school having played with play dough.  And not only are they familiar with it, but they love it.  And because it’s fun and non-intimidating, plus soft and easy to cut, it’s a perfect starting point, even for reluctant munchkins.  

IMG 0190I’ve done this activity with Gracen many times, and although she’s already very comfortable using scissors with paper and cutting on pre-determined lines, she still loves cutting play dough.  It’s an easy activity to put together and I’d rather smush together bits of play dough than pick up tiny shards of paper any day of the week. When I set it up, I usually create both play dough ‘pancakes’ and ‘worms’ and then let her go to town, but anything goes.  Today after quickly preparing the play dough shapes, she used them to create a daisy and a stem. ☺

IMG 0192Then it was time to cut!

IMG 0194Two things I like to reinforce during the cutting process are one, being mindful of where your ‘holding fingers’ are and two, positioning your scissors so they’re pointing away from your body.

IMG 0199During the process Grae almost always asks for a bowl to put her ‘food’ in, which makes the activity that much more fun and adds in an element of pretend play.

IMG 0206Today’s food was for kitties only. ☺

♥ 

For extra fun, like us on Facebook here and find us on Instagram here.   

8 Comments

find us here

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email

looking for something?

want our posts to your inbox?

popular posts

  • BC Summer Family Fun
    BC Summer Family Fun
  • Make Your Own Surprise Boxes
    Make Your Own Surprise Boxes
  • High School or Homeschool?
    High School or Homeschool?
  • Daily Reflection Journal for Kids and Tweens
    Daily Reflection Journal for Kids and Tweens
  • 3D Paper Bag Snowflakes
    3D Paper Bag Snowflakes
  • Things to Listen to While Road Tripping with Kids
    Things to Listen to While Road Tripping with Kids
  • Dear Dad Printable Book
    Dear Dad Printable Book
  • The Best Tips for Taking Road Trips With Kids (& a GIVEAWAY!)
    The Best Tips for Taking Road Trips With Kids (& a GIVEAWAY!)
  • Easy DIY Outdoor Skating Rink
    Easy DIY Outdoor Skating Rink
  • Small Shop Gift Guide
    Small Shop Gift Guide

archives

Site made with ♥ by Angie Makes
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes