Did you know your students need appropriately sized scissors to fit their hands while they grow? Many don’t realize, but the muscles used to control scissors are the same that grip and move a pencil–which means using the correct size scissors while those muscles develop can help students write. Since it’s crucial for students to have the correct size scissors, it’s recommended that you specify the size on your back-to-school supply lists. But, how do you know which size is most appropriate for your students?
Well, Fiskars has done the hard part for you! They’ve measured children’s hands from around the world to develop the best size for each age group. They’ve taken comfort, control, and safety into consideration so students can engage in hands-on activities with ease no matter their age.
Here’s how to know you have the correct scissors for your students, based on age:
Starter Scissors: Ages 2+
Skill level: Snipping the ends of paper
Challenges: Holding and cutting & gripping loops comfortably
Fiskars design:
- Chunky handles instead of loops
- Can be used either right- or left-handed
- Chunky handles are the easiest for tiny hands to grip
- Built-in spring helps to automatically re-open scissors for an age who is first learning
- Plastic blades for safety
Training Scissors: Ages 3+
Skill level: Cutting paper in half
Challenges: Holding and cutting & gripping different sized loops (of 5 in. scissors)
Fiskars design:
- Symmetrical handle loops
- Can be used either right or left-handed
- Training lever included–it automatically reopens for easier cutting and can be disengaged for traditional cutting action
- Plastic covered metal blades for safety
5 in. Kids Scissors: Ages 4+
Skill level: Cutting in a line, following curves and shapes
Challenges: Fitting fingers in loops of other 5 in. Kids Scissors
Fiskars design:
- Fitted loops
- Large loop is comfortably able to fit 4 fingers
- Ergonomic loop for thumb
- Handles are in line with blades for precise cutting in air
- Metal blades
- Available in blunt or pointed tips, both with a safety-edge grind
- Also available in left-handed, which has reversed blades so left-handed kids can see their cut line
6 in. Big Kids Scissors: Ages 8+
Skill level: Cutting complex shapes and sharp angles
Challenges: Adjusting fingers to fit in loops of 5 in. Kids Scissors
Fiskars design:
- Longer blades and slightly larger handles, still comfortably able to fit 4 fingers of a growing hand
- Able to tackle more advanced projects
- Also available in left-handed, which has reversed blades so left-handed kids can see their cut line
7 in. Student Scissors: Ages 12+
Skill level: Cutting advanced shapes & cutting thicker material
Challenges: Needing comfortable handles for extended use
Fiskars design:
- 3 fingers fit in the large loop with ergonomic loop for thumb
- Handles are slightly offset from the blades for better tabletop cutting
- Also available in left-handed, which has reversed blades so left-handed kids can see their cut line
8 in. Teen Scissors: Ages 15+
Skill level: Adult-level performance
Challenges: Tabletop cutting with in-line blades and handles
Fiskars design:
- Handles are offset from the blades to keep materials flat while cutting on a tabletop
- High-quality stainless-steel blades for long-lasting sharpness
- Also available in left-handed, which has reversed blades so left-handed kids can see their cut line
Additional tips:
- If you create back-to-school supply lists or wish lists, be sure to specify the size of the scissors in the request. Most families will purchase the correct ones when it’s requested but may not know otherwise.
- Kids between ages 8-11 need scissors that are more comfortable for them to use and with a longer blade. Fiskars recommends the 6in. Big Kids Scissors for this age group to allow them to be the most comfortable and successful in their cutting tasks.
- 99% of teachers recommend Fiskars brand scissors when choosing to recommend a brand.
I never realized there were so many different sizes of scissors. I’ve been using the wrong size scissors for my third graders. I will be fixing that!