Successful use of scissors is more than cutting along a line. Success with scissors requires hand division (strength and dexterity of individual fingers), holding items near your midline, bilateral integration (ie/ using both hands differently to perform one task, in this case cutting) and visual perception. Considering this, it’s no wonder children need lots of practise to perfect their cutting skills.

So during these rainy, cold winter days, try this low-prep fine motor activity to build those children’s fine motor skills! 

Using either toilet paper rolls, which we recognise is not permitted in some early learning settings, or rolled up paper into a tube, cut some strips vertically from the top to about ⅓ of the way down. Flatten the slits, draw a face on the rolls and share with students that these “people” need a haircut. 

Children will be entertained as well as developing their fine motor skills. If you’re at a center a few days in a row, children could progress to decorating their own people, and then giving them a haircut.