Shop Scissors Blog

Teaching Left Handed Children

With only approximately 10-15% of the population favoring a left hand, you may be surprised to discover that your own child is left-handed. It’s important to keep this in mind when teaching your child gross motor and fine motor skills, as there are a few special points to consider.

One of the most important things to remember is that if your child appears to be favoring a left hand, you should let them. If you force a child to use his right hand when he appears to be left hand dominant, you will diminish his overall coordination and he will always struggle to complete tasks with his right hand, when they could have been easily completed with the left. Check out these tips for teaching your left-handed child.

1. Teach the proper grip for pencils. The grip is the same for right- and left-handed children, but to be able to see what they are writing, it is best to direct them to hold the pencil slightly further back, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches from the point. This will also help them to avoid smearing the text as their hand drags over the letters.
2. Substitute pens for pencils. This will make it easier for the child to write, as it will reduce the tendency for smudging.
3. Invest in left-handed scissors.  Left-handed scissors have blades and finger loops that are positions opposite those of right-handed scissors. A pair of true left-handed scissors will allow the child to hold the scissors more comfortable and see where he is cutting. These scissors will also cut more accurately, as the pressure will be correctly applied to press the blades together as they cut, and will be less likely to rip the paper.
4. Tell your child he is left-handed. Most children have no idea if they are right- or left-handed. It’s important that the child is aware to let a teacher or physical education instructor know they are left handed so the teacher will demonstrate the paper form from a left-handed approach.
5. Experimentation. When your child is learning gross motor activities, it’s important to allow him the freedom to experiment with whatever feels comfortable. Even if he is left-handed, there are certain activities that may feel most comfortable using the right hand. Some children don’t demonstrate a clear preference for one hand or the other until the age of 5 or 6, so this period of experimentation with what feels comfortable is extremely important.

To purchase a pair of left-handed scissors, visit us at ShopScissors.com.

Christmas Card Craft Ideas for the Kids

For many, Christmas cards were put in the mailbox the day after Thanksgiving. However, that doesn't mean it's not the perfect time for your kids to make personalized Christmas cards for close family and friends. Turn your home into the North Pole workshop this year with fun Christmas card crafts. This is a great way to entertain kids who are off of school for Christmas and in need of activities to entertain them indoors, out of the cold.

Postage Stamp Card

What you need…

• Family photo
• Copy service
• 8 ½ by 11-inch sheet of card stock
• Decorative scissors
• Tacky glue
• Acetate
• Scissors
• Anywhere hold puncher
• Eyelet setter and eyelets

1. Have a family photo shrunk to 1 ¼ by 2 inches and copied seven to a page.
2. Cut an 8 ½ by 11-inch sheet of card stock in half and then fold each piece in half to create two cards.
3. Cut out each picture with decorative scissors, such as pinking shears.
4. Use the tacky-glue to attach the picture to the front of the card.
5. Cut a piece of acetate to fit over the image, cut holes through the acetate and card with an “anywhere” hold puncher, and secure the eyelets to the card with an eyelet setter.

Thumbprint Reindeer Card

What you’ll need…

• Ink pad with nontoxic brown or bronze ink
• Plain notecards or card stock
• Craft glue
• Googly eyes
• Mini pom-poms, brown and red
• Brown marker

1. If you are using 8 ½ by 11-inch card stock, cut the page in half and fold each piece in half to create a card.
2. Dip your thumb or fingertip in the ink pad and stamp three reindeer heads on each card.
3. Glue on googly eyes and pom-pom noses (don’t forget to include a red nose for Rudolph).
4. Draw on antlers.

For more craft ideas to keep your kids busy over the holidays or to purchase children's scissors, visit us at ShopScissors.com.

Children's Party Idea: Monkey-Themed Party

Looking for a birthday party idea to throw for the little monkey in your life? Consider throwing a monkey-themed birthday party! Let the kids bring out their inner monkey with this fun themed party idea.

Invitations. Trace around a large banana onto a piece of paper. Use the template you created to trace bananas onto yellow card stock to use as invitations.

Décor. Decorate your home using green streamers of various shades. You can find cutouts of palm trees at party supply stores or online. If you don’t mind spending a little more money, consider hanging plush monkeys and plush or real bananas around the palm trees.

Food. Bananas are obvious snacks, but consider being a little more creative. What little monkey wouldn’t love a banana split? Banana bread or banana smoothies are also great options to consider.

Party favors. You could give out bags of banana-flavored candy. Other items include socks with monkey pictures, monkey children’s scissors, monkey notepads, or monkey stuffed animals.

Games. Let the kids create magnetic monkeys using pipe cleaners and donut-shaped magnets. Organize a Barrel of Monkeys Contest, where each child races to collect as many monkeys as possible in one minute and the child with the longest monkey chain wine. Monkey See, Monkey Do is also a great option. Sit the children in a large circle. Have one child leave the group momentarily and then appoint another as the head monkey. The head money leads the group in funny monkey movements, such as patting their heads, scratching under their arms, or rubbing their tummies. The child returns to the group and the head monkey leads the group in performing the movements under the child who left guesses who the head monkey is. The head monkey then becomes the child to guess and the game continues.

To purchase monkey scissors or look at our other children's scissors, visit us online at ShopScissors.com.

Feature Friday: 24 Piece Scissor Caddy

This week's Feature Friday product, in anticipation of the new school year, is the 24 piece scissor caddy. Perfect for any class of young children, this kit comes with 4 removable cups and 24 pair of blunt tip scissors. All scissors come with Microban® protection to inhibit the growth of bacterial odors, which makes the set ideal for use year-round in a classroom setting.

This Westcott product is ideal for ages 4+ and features scissors with five inch blades. For more information on the scissor caddy or to purchase other children's scissors, please visit us online at ShopScissors.com.

Teach Scissor Safety

While blunt edged scissors for children do reduce the risk of injury with scissors, it is important to practice good safety habits when using scissors. As you teach your children to use scissors, make sure you emphasize these scissor safety tips to ensure that they stay safe while learning these new, important skills.

1. Always walk when carrying scissors; never run. Avoid engaging in any kind of horseplay.
2. When carrying, carry the closed blades of the scissors with the grips facing outwards, to reduce the risk of someone getting hurt if you do bump into anyone.
3. Keep the blades of the scissors closed until you are ready to begin cutting
4. Pay attention to what you’re cutting and be careful not to accidently cut your fingers.

For more information or to purchase safety scissors, visit ShopScissors.com.

Labeling School Supplies

For most, school is only about a week away, and you know what that means: it's time to label all of your children's school supplies. This can be a somewhat tedious process that you may have been avoiding for weeks. However, with these simple ideas for labeling school supplies, you should be well on your way to having the work done in no time.

Permanent marker. A fine tipped permanent marker is best for small items like pencils and crayons. Some suggest shaving a bit off near the top of the pencil to reduce the likelihood that it will rub off. You can purchase personalized scissors that allow you to label your child's scissors without fear of the marker rubbing off. A permanent marker is also useful in writing your child’s name on the inside of his or her backpack.

Printed labels. Multipurpose labels allow you the convenience of printing in mass numbers and saving yourself time and energy spent labeling by hand. You can also print with fun fonts or even small pictures. These are most appropriate on larger items like crayon boxes, pencil boxes, notebooks, scissors, etc.

Iron-on label. This can be useful for the inside of a child’s backpack.

For more information or to purchase children's scissors, visit ShopScissors.com.

Tips to Better Enjoy Craft Time with Your Kids

Time spent on crafts with your kids is supposed to be fun time. But with worry over messes and making sure you have everything you need, it is easy to turn craft time into stress time. Here we have provided a list of the top five tips for keeping craft time a memorable, fun experience with your kids.

1. Consider clothing. Make sure that your children’s clothing is well protected in the event paint is spilled. If you leave them in regular clothing, accidents are bound to happen. Make sure they have changed into older play clothes. Old, large adult t-shirts are also great for covering clothing and acting as a paint smock or apron.
2. Tools. Make sure you have everything laid out ahead of time that you will need, whether it is cups for water for rinsing brushes, paper plates for mixing paint colors, or left handed scissors for your left handed children. Be prepared so you don’t have to go scrambling for something in the middle of craft time.
3. Work station. Make sure that your table, or whatever work station you select, is well protected. Newspapers and cardboard are great options.
4. Allow for independence. While you are there to help and have fun, don’t help out too much. Make sure you step back and let your kids go it alone, even if the result isn’t necessarily beautiful. Allow them the freedom to be creative…even if it is just in their own way.
5. Have fun. With all the preparation you have done, you should be able to spend time with your kids without worrying over spills or messes, so don’t forget to just step back and enjoy.

Feature Friday: 5” Junior Splat Scissors, Pointed Tip

You may be feeling that the 80s have returned to haunt you, but your student will love to take these fun, brightly colored scissors to school with them this fall. The 5” Junior Splat Scissors have stainless steel blades that will cut easily through craft material when it’s time for arts and crafts. Do keep in mind, however, that with the pointed tip, they are only appropriate for ages 6 and up. They also come with a free paint splash erase for every two pair that you order.

To order a pair of 5” Junior Splat Scissors or to look at our other children’s scissors, visit ShopScissors.com.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Child Healthy this School Season

With school just around the corner it’s important to start thinking about keeping your child healthy and practicing good health habits. While your child will, inevitably, catch something, just a few steps can make a substantial difference in the frequency he or she gets sick.

1. Wash, wash, wash. This is one of the most important things your child can do to stay healthy. Teach them to wash their hands before and after eating and whenever they use the restroom.
2. Keeping hands away from the face. Teach your children to keep their hands away from their faces most of the time. The exception to this rule is if they are coughing or sneezing. On these occasions, they should be taught to wash their hands afterwards.
3. Touch-free policy. Teach your child to keep his hands to himself. Explain how germs can be found on doorways and doorknobs and show them how to use a paper towel to open a bathroom door.
4. Diet is important. Serve immunity-boosting foods in your home. Make sure your kids get lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and limit the amount of sugar they are consuming. The antioxidants paired with the lack of empty calories will go a long way toward improving their immune systems.

To purchase Kids Scissors with Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection to inhibit the growth of bacteria, go to ShopScissors.com.

Kid’s Birthday Party Idea: Jungle Themed Party

Looking for a fun birthday party theme? Consider throwing your child a jungle-themed party. Great for boys and girls, your child will be begging for this theme for years to come. Here are a few ideas for how to turn your home unto a jungle safari.

Invitations. Create your own invitations using scrapbooking supplies and stickers. Anything that has an animal theme is perfect. You could also wrap animal crackers with brown paper and a note attached with the party details. While these will have to be hand-delivered, it is a great way to kick your theme off right.

Decorations. Animal print balloons are a fun way to bring your home to life. Another inexpensive option is using green crepe paper streamers as vines hanging from the ceiling. Make fun signs like “Elephant Crossing” or “Please don’t feed the animals.”

Games. Instead of pin the tail on the donkey, try pin the tail on the monkey…or lion…or zebra. Another fun game is Simon Says, except this time call it Monkey Says, Monkey do. Kids who follow the instructions without hearing “Monkey says…” are out. The Jungle Animal Freeze is another fun option. You play music as the kids dance around. When the music stops playing, the kids have to freeze and post like an animal.

Party favors. Animal crackers are an obvious option. Other options are animal party blowers, animal stickers or animal themed scissors, like the Ooh Ooh Monkey Scissors.

Food. You can make Monkey Mix, combining mini chocolate chips with banana chips, cashews and shredded coconut. Gummy worms or Tiger Tails, more commonly known as Cheetos, are other options.