Tzeadim › 3–6 years

Fine motor · Milestone

Cuts along a line with scissors

Most children: 3y 6m–4y 6m

What it is

Uses child scissors to cut roughly along a drawn line.

Start preparing

1. Start with snipping straws or the edge of thick paper — one snip per squeeze.
2. Thick paper holds itself up; printer paper flops and makes it harder.
3. Thumb up on both hands: 'thumbs to the sky' is the whole technique.

Sources

• Learn the Signs. Act Early. — milestone checklists (2022 revision) — CDC / American Academy of Pediatrics · checked 30-08-2026

Last reviewed 30-08-2026 · Confidence: medium

Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.