When young children learn to use scissors confidently, they’re not just cutting paper. They’re building a foundation for many other skills.

1. Fine motor development

Using scissors helps children strengthen the small muscles in their hands and wrists. As one article notes, “cutting allows a child to build up the little muscles in their hands with the open and close motion. These muscles are so important for writing, painting, and doing everyday things like brushing your teeth.”

2. Hand-eye coordination and bilateral coordination

When a child holds the paper with one hand and cuts with the other, they must coordinate both sides of their body and align their vision and movement. This bilateral coordination is a key part of readiness for tasks such as zipping a jacket, tying shoelaces, or using utensils.

3. Writing readiness and academic links

Research has shown that children who gain proficiency in scissor skills tend to show stronger writing skills later. For example, a paper on preschool children in Malaysia found that scissor skill mastery “can help children use their fine motor muscles in mastering other skills. Children who do not master scissor skills show poor fine motor control which in turn affect other motor skills such as writing skills.”

4. Confidence, creativity and independence

Learning to cut shapes, follow lines and create their own cutting projects gives children a sense of achievement. This helps boost their confidence and encourages them to explore more craft-based or hands-on activities which foster creativity and independence.

Get them a pair of plastic scissors today, let those tiny hands start practicing, and try our fun cutting worksheets!