Scissors: So Many Choices- We'll help you decide & "Scissor Tips" Handout

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So Many Scissors? Which ones do I use?

Self opening, loop, mini loop, left handed, right handed...... Who would have thought that you would have so many choices in scissors? Here's few favorites and their features to get you started. Please visit www.pfot.com to see the full selection of scissors available.

Mini Loop Scissors: 5" total size. Loop has a wider grip for greater stability and will automatically reopen when pressure is released.  Great for those just learning to squeeze scissors closed. 

Loop Scissors: Larger self opening loop scissor.  For older students with limited abilities or when hand strength is weak. Comes in right and left handed. 

Total Control Scissors: Shorter precision cut blades, blunt tip, safer angle, and an extra loop for the index finger. 

3" (Benbow) Learning Scissors: These wonderfully crafted scissors were designed (by Mary Benbow) specifically for little hands. Non-slip coated, child-sized finger holes and short, sharp blades allow for increased control and more successful cutting! (A therapist favorite for learning and skill development)

Goldilocks Scissors: Same design as the 3" learning scissor, but without the non-slip finger holes. Great as a learning and practice scissor. Priced right for classrooms and groups.

Self Opening Scissors: This scissor combines added control with greater ease of self opening mechanism.  A longer handle provides a place where fingers just naturally fit into. Shorter - regular length handle also available.

3" Learning (Benbow) Scissors

Total Control

Mini Loop Scissors

Regular Loop Scissors

Goldilocks Scissors

Self Opening Long-Handled Scissors

Snip And Cut: Scissor Tips and Activities

Scissor Skills require fine motor strength, motor planning, and bilateral coordination.  Great pre-scissor activities include using tongs or tweezers to pick up items, punch holes in paper, squeeze eye droppers, clothespins, spray bottles, and tearing pieces of paper.  Once your child is ready to put a pair of scissors in their hand, here are a few fun activities!

1. Place stickers randomly on a page.  Now follow from one sticker to the next with your scissor.  Or you can draw a maze, giving boundaries to cut within, place stickers throughout the maze, following to the end. 

2. It's ok to cut more than paper! Get a variety of items from around the house and practice cutting, it will more than likely be more interesting for your child.  Cut straws into smaller pieces to string.  Or cut sponges into all different shapes and sizes, now you can use them to build! Or cut the ends of toilet paper or paper towel rolls, rolling them strips up to make an octopus

3. Bring your scissors outside!  Cut smaller branches, blades or grass, or stems of flowers. What else can you find to cut outside or in. How about putty or clay, paper scraps, envelopes, magazines, newspaper, thinner food boxes (cereal box)

 

It's fun to cut then build with sponges (found at many $1 stores)

Make a sticker path or maze to follow.

PS- Please remember to "Share" with friends, colleagues & parents!

Got Leaves? Let's Use Them!

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Leaves, Leaves Everywhere

It's that time of year again.  The colors of the leaves are changing, falling off the trees, and you have to get those rakes out.  Have your children help.  You can get them a smaller rake or have them use yours, pick some up with their hands or maybe a shovel.  Any way they do it will help build their strength and help with bilateral coordination.  And who doesn't love jumping in a pile of leaves when you're done?

 

Unbe"leaf"ably Fun Projects

Salt Dough Leaf Imprints

- You need 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of flour, 1 cup water, and leaves

- Mix the salt and flour together and add water gradually

 - Knead the dough, roll into a ball and flatten to about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. 

- Press your leaf into the flattened dough and remove, leaving an imprint. 

- All the dough to dry and harden and color the leaves in with crayon. 

Leaf Animals

Go on a leaf hunt.  How many different colors and shapes can you find?  Now take your leaves and start creating!! You can make leaf people, leaf animals, leaf buildings.  See what creative ideas your children can come up with when they have paper, glue, and a pile of leaves. 

Leaf Painting

Leaf Painting!  Yep it is that simple! Take your leaves and use them as a paintbrush, dip them in paint and press them to a sheet of paper.  Overlap, mix colors, and make some awesome leaf print paintings. 

Jumping Apple Seeds Project!

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An Apple A Day...

It's apple season, why not carry it over into your class groups, treatment sessions, or at home. 

Here are some fun apple projects!

Apple Prints:    An old favorite! You will need some apples, paint and paper.  Cut your apples in half so you can see the star shape the seeds make. Once your apples are cut, you can also cut out wedges from the sides to create handles for your new painting tool. (You can also try placing a large "push-pin" into the back of the apple as a handle)  Now use your apples to paint !  Dip the apple in paint then press onto the paper.  Prints can overlap or be at different angles to make designs. How many designs can you make?

Apple Handprint Art: Keep out your paints and forget the apples.  Now you will need red paint on your palm and green on your thumb.  Press your hand on to paper and you have an apple with a worm crawling out of it. 

Apple Scented Dough: You will need 7 cups of flour, 1 cup of vegetable oil and apple pie spice or cinnamon.  Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and have fun!! Hide apple themed items in the dough or pick it up and roll it into a ball to make an apple.

Apple Construction/Building: You will need apples and toothpicks. Cut the apples into small pieces, approximately 1/4 inch cubes.  Now push the toothpicks into each apple cube as you build.  You can make a person, letters, simple shapes, a building or where-ever your imagination takes you! Use colored toothpicks for variety. (Use caution with younger children that no toothpicks get lost or consumed!)

Apple Print on Everything! 

Apple Handprint Art

*Thank you pinterest friends!

Apple Building! 

Apple Scented Dough 

Make Jumping Apple Seeds!

Jumping Apple Seeds:  Combine 2/3 teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of water in a glass. Then add apple seeds and one tablespoon of lemon juice.  Now watch your seeds jump around! (Let us know if you make a video of yours!)  

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