How To Hold Scissors In A Montessori Fashion?

Montessori scissors are child-sized and child-safe scissors designed to promote essential skills like independence and fine-motor movements development in young children. They are taught to hold scissors properly, with the pointed end facing down towards the floor and held next to the child’s thigh. In preliminary skills, children are taught not to run with scissors or wave them around.

Carrying a sharp object is a Montessori practical life activity in the teacher training curriculum, used to improve concentration and coordination of movements. At around two years, scissors can be introduced to toddlers. The traditional Montessori cutting activity involves a tray with a small pair of scissors in a pouch, strips of cardboard 1.5 centimetres wide, and a knife.

To demonstrate how to carry and store scissors, children should wrap their four left fingers over the scissor part and cover their thumb. Rotate the scissors so that they are vertical, un-pinch your right thumb and index finger, and help the child place their thumb and first two fingers into the handle of the scissors. Encourage them to practice opening and closing the blades.

When children are comfortable cutting through blank strips, draw vertical lines on the paper strips, approximately 2cm apart. The Montessori Scissor Cutting activity involves teaching children how to hold and use scissors safely and effectively. Help the child place their thumb and first two fingers into the handle of the scissors, encourage them to practice opening and closing the blades, and present the basic movements and show how to safely handle the tool.