Developing cutting skills is a series of two books written by occupational therapists and teachers to support the development of cutting skills in early childhood.

The essential skill of cutting is broken into a series of sequential skills or steps, giving teachers the means to successfully teach children to accurately and confidently cut through four distinct phases. At each stage, the children are given multiple opportunities to develop the coordination and motor skills required to achieve the targeted skills.

Included in the book are detailed teachers notes, including developmental norms for children at different ages and developmental milestones, outlining appropriate skills for each age group. These developmental norms and milestones provide a valuable resource for assessment and planning. Information is also provided about dominance, scissor grip, cutting line accuracy and body posture when cutting.

The activities and worksheets are easy to use. Clear instructions and suggested verbal prompts are given on each page, allowing parents, classroom assistants and teachers alike to correctly assist children to develop a range of skills—from holding scissors, to snipping, to cutting along a straight line and, eventually to learning to cut corners and curves. Appropriate thumb positions are indicated on the worksheets in the early stages of cutting development. Different worksheets are provided for both left- and right-handed cutters where appropriate.

Features:

• clear instructions on every page, allowing them to be copied and given to other adults (such as parents or classroom assistants), to work with the children
• easy-to-use layout with comprehensive teacher information
• activities designed specifically for teaching cutting skills to early childhood students
• suggestions for developing hand strength and coordination
• information provided about dominance, scissor grip, cutting line accuracy and body posture
• thumb positions indicated on the worksheets in the early stages of cutting development.