11/08/2025
Teach your child the art of safe cutting ✂️
Show them the correct posture and grip for cutting, and watch their confidence and fine motor skills grow 🌸
WHY SOME CHILDREN STRUGGLE WITH USING SCISSORS ??
Scissor skills are more than just cutting — they involve a combination of strength, coordination, and sensory processing.
Here are some common reasons why a child may find scissor use challenging:
🖐 Fine Motor Skills:
1. Low hand strength – Cutting requires grip strength that some children are still developing.
2. Limited finger dexterity – Fingers need to move independently and precisely to operate scissors.
3. Bilateral coordination – Both hands must work together — one holds the paper, the other cuts.
🧠 Developmental Delays:
1. Delayed fine motor development – Skills may take longer to emerge, making cutting tricky.
2. Underdeveloped hand-eye coordination – Eyes guide the hands, and this connection might still be growing.
👁 Sensory Processing Differences:
1. Tactile defensiveness – Discomfort with the feel of scissors, handles, or paper can cause avoidance.
2. Visual spatial challenges – Trouble judging space, distance, and alignment can affect accuracy.
📚 Learning Disabilities:
1. Dysgraphia – May impact motor control, making precise movements harder.
2. Apraxia – Difficulty with motor planning can make it hard to coordinate cutting actions.
⚡ Other Contributing Factors:
1. Lack of practice – Cutting is a learned skill that improves with exposure.
2. Incorrect grip – Holding scissors improperly can make cutting more tiring and less accurate.
3. Anxiety or frustration – Emotional responses can limit focus and persistence.
“If your child struggles with scissors, an occupational therapist can assess skills and suggest playful, strength-building activities to make cutting easier and more enjoyable” 🌸
