alright all you people. its time we have a talk. now i know they can be scary. really scary. and i know they will require constant supervision and probably a little more work than you want to give on your end, but its only right you let them in your house and share your children with them.
no. i am not talking about your in-laws... (small joke, no one shoot).
i am talking about scissors. you know. snip. snip. don't act like you don't. i have no idea why, but i cannot believe how many preschoolers i meet, think @ 90%, that do not even know how to pick up a pair of scissors. sure, they can be accidents, and ruined christmas photos, waiting to happen. but, with your attention and support, they can also be a new love for your little. seriously. once mastered. kids LOVE. and sorry momma's, but they gotta learn some time.
as i have said a million times, dash has always been easy. i never had to hammer in his brain what exactly scissors are for, and i can actually walk away from him while he has a pair, but not every one has that luxury. so play with caution on this one.
lately dash has been obsessed with cutting out photos from sports illustrated magazines, and then having a gallery type presentation of all the "photos he shot." such a talent. seriously, he will cut for hours. yes i said it, HOURS. momma heaven. and the pride and vocabulary and stories i hear with the snipped product are pure gold.
now if this activity is new in your home here are a few little tips from one momma (slash pre-k professional) to another...
1. use hand over hand modeling to teach your child how to hold the scissors. encourage them to start with giving a thumbs up. and then as they get better at the grasp, just verbally remind in your nicest voice, "thumbs up." its actually pretty tricky for them in the beginning, but don't ignore if they need correcting, they'll get it with your help.
2. have them start by just opening and closing their little mits. first thing they gots to get is how to control that little muscle. once they seem to even sort of get this concept, have them cut something that gives resistance. for example; play dough, or that foam paper. the more they can feel the cutting happening, the better. paper is super hard, so try to avoid starting there. who knew, right?!
3. let them cut whatever they want. seriously. kids will cut a piece of plain construction paper for-ev-a. they do not care. dash now likes photos, but i remember he would go to town on just writing paper, then he moved to newspaper, and now (naturally) he prefers glossy, costly, sometimes not yet read (arg) magazines. relish in the plain paper phase. really. do.
waaa-laaaa. there you have it. i hope this little gem buys you not only a teachable moment with your little, but also some QUIET time (ahhhhhhh) in your home together as this weather cools off and starts to keep us all indoors more.
