Scissors and Two Year Olds

When I assess infants and toddlers for the early intervention program, I have to test their gross motor, fine motor, and self-help skills.  For two-years-olds, I have to see if they can cut paper with scissors. A young two-year-old should be able to snip paper with scissors IF they have been exposed to using scissors. Most of the time, the moms all say, "S/He has never used scissors before." My standard response is, "I understand. Most people don't give their two year old scissors."  

If parents want to teach their two year old how to use scissors, I suggest using play-doh and the scissors that come in the play-doh kits.  Josiah loves play-doh and he loves using the scissors to cut it.

Well, I didn't give regular scissors to Josiah but Lydia leaves them out often enough, that he has had multiple opportunities to try them. Here is a picture from September. This is when he first figured out how to snip the paper.

He found another pair last night before dinner.

He makes one snip in the paper and then rips it the rest of the way.

This kept him busy for a long time.

I am sure he will cut things he shouldn't. His seven-year-old brother recently cut recently cut a tablecloth.