Your child will develop fine motor contro] skills while having fun usin scissors to cut lines and shapes. = = Pa e =I cy 4 fe} fe} ra ir > a Pe iS} ao 4 Ww Es a w E 3 & a ESKumon First Steps Workbooks help children develop fine motor skills 5 preparation for writing letters and numbers. eg Special features of this book important bas playtime together. 3. This book control s an help children as young as two learn book allows parents and children to share meaningful structured so that your child will develop fine motor ills while acquiring new vocabulary. EE The aims and purpose of this book @ Develop fine motor skills Your child will improve finger strength and dexterity. This will help your child hold and use a pencil correctly, which is an important skill for more advanced learning. Improve scissor control If your child can manipulate scissors and cut along designated lines accurately, then he or she has acquired basic scissor control. In general, young children usually develop scissor control in the following order: 1. Cutting by opening and closing scissors once (one stroke). 2. Cutting along a line by opening and closing scissors repeatedly. B How to use this book 1. To make the exercises easier for your child, please cut out the illustrated portion of each page for him or her. 2. This book requires scissors. Please use a pair of child-safe scissors and show your child how to hold them. Teach him or her not to point scissors at others, not to cut things other than paper, and to be careful not to cut his or her fingertips or other body parts. 3. Cutting easily along straight lines and curves. The exercises in this book are designed to teach children the above three skills in order of difficulty. You may think that it is not safe to give children scissors, but for this very reason, it is extremely important to teach them how to use scissors properly. Enhance children’s sense of shape ‘As children cut along straight lines and curves, or cut out circles and animals, they will associate words such as “straight” and “curved” with the shapes they represent. Your child's creativity and shape composition ability will be greatly enhanced. 3. When your child has completed each page, please offer him or her lots of praise. 4. Please refer to the * To parents” notes in this book, which provide more comments and advice on how to help your child enjoy and learn from this book. Try to limit the number of pages your child will complete in a day. It is best to end the day’s work when your child still wants to do more. Wh Cover Hhsiraron by Masami Ogura W Cover design by Toshibike Karaka Wi lnierion design by Hiroshi Watanabe Wh Planning by Michiko Kocuna W Interior illastrations by Shinji Sakou, Katsuya Takahashi, Manenori Misugi, Kimibisa Moronobu Photographs by Sciichi Onuka Copyright © 2011, Kumon Publishing Co., Ltd. Reproduction of these materials is prohibited. ‘Any other use or reproduction of these materials requires the prior written consent of Kumon Publishing North Amerie.‘ ‘ t t ‘ ' ‘ ‘ 1 ‘ t ‘ 1 ' t ' ' ' t t ‘ 1 ' How to use ME Ce Relax and enjoy! Kumon’s First Steps Workbooks are designed so that children and parents can learn and have fun together. Children learn best from active and participatory parents, so please help your child with the activities in this book. By helping, you are encouraging your child to develop a desire to learn, as well as laying the foundation for him or her to become a self-motivated learner. How to choose and hold scissors Scissors can be dangerous if not handled properly. Keep an eye on your child when he or she is doing the cutting exercises. How to choose a good pair of scissors Oo Choose safety scissors with round tips. ® Choose scissors with holes that suit your child’s hands and fingers. ® Choose scissors your child can open and close easily. ‘4A Please choose easy-to-use safety scissors. Pictured on the right are plastic safety scissors. Wao Sao aaeeee Sawce oad How to hold scissors properly Show your child how to put his or her thumb into the smaller hole and his or her forefinger and middle finger into the bigger hole of the scissors. If the bigger hole is large enough, have your child put his or her ring finger into the hole as well. When your child holds scissors, please align his or her hand with the scissors so that they form a straight 4 Please try to align your child’s hand with the line when viewed from above. scissors So that they form a straight line. ' 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 ' + i 1 1 1 ‘ 1 1 1 ' 1' 1 t ‘ 1 1 aT Pree es How to cut with scissors Show your child how to cut along the designated lines. It is perfectly okay if your child cannot cut completely accurately. He or she will gradually learn to do so. \ 1 1 1 1 ' ! 1 1 ' ' 1 1 ! 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 ' 1 ' 1 ’ 1 ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' ' 1 1 1 1 ' ' ' ’ ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 4 1 : The first step in cutting is learning Encourage your child to align the how to properly manipulate scissors. scissors with the cutting line. Please Check to see if your child can easily do not be concerned if your child cuts open and close the scissors, and also off of the designated line, or if he or check to see if he or she can hold the she cannot stop the scissors at a scissors at a right angle to the paper. designated point. ‘In the early stages, children usually cut unevenly. Show your child how to hold the paper away from the scissors, with the scissors pointed at the cutting line. This is a difficult skill that requires some getting used to. Tips for cutting neatly Open the scissors wide and cut half an inch, then open the scissors wide again and cut another half an inch. Repeat this technique. ills ‘In order to cut neatly, use the section of the blades nearest to the joint in the scissors. uSea Otter Your child will practice cutting short lines with one stroke. First, say “sea otter” aloud while pointing to the words. It is okay if your child goos off the cutting line or cuts unevenly. Please keep an eye on your child 0 he or she does not get hurt Cut along EE $< Porents: Please cut along mmm for your child a = sea otterCat in the Donel B- ”. Fish Bowl > To parents Encourage your child to practice opening and closing the or she is having difficulty holding the paper steady while c\ place the paper on the table. Cut along SN. $< Parents: Please cut alon for your childDog IL is okay if your child cuts off the line or cuts unevenly. The important thing is that he or she enjoys the exercise. Cut along Sa. $< Parents: Please cut along for your childDone! p.- ~* Chirp Chirp! To parents * ES When your chid has completed the exercise, offer praise and say ‘bird’ aloud while pointing to the word a Cut along SS. bird Se=Perents: Please cut along seme for your childCat and Mouse Fight Donel BR > * From this page on, your child will practice opening and closing the scissor tepeatedly to cut longer lines. It is okay for your child to stop after one stroke and start over again. Cut along I. Cat and mouseTo parents Encourage your child to help the small fish escape from the big fish by cutting the centerline. When your child finishes, offer lots of praise. Cut along EE and arrangeCamel at the : ‘The line on this page is diagonal and longer than the previous exercise. ar Do not be concerned if your child's cutting is askew. When your child — finishes, offer lots of praise and encourage him or her to arrange the ies parts as shown, ee tad Cut along ME and arrange the parts as shown. Parents: Please cut along =e for your childElephant This page is more complicated than the previous exercise. If your child ‘seems to be having a difficult time cutting property, you can guide his or hher hand in the right direction. Give appropriate help so that your child can enjoy the activity without feeling pressured. Cut along EM and arrange the parts as shown. ‘<= Parents: Please cut along sams for your child.Cow and py Calf From this page on, your child wil practice cuting curving lines its okay i! your child cute olf of the line. or cute in straight lines at fst, Help your chi Open and clase scissors With short xa strokes in ordor to cut curves neatly. et Cut along EE and arrange ae the parts as shown. = cow i= Parents: Please cut along samme for your child.Monkeying 9» ». Around * Encourage your child to cut curves slowly and steadily. When he or she has successfully cut the paper, offer lots of praise. Cut along HM and arrange the parts as shown. monkey }-< Parents: Please cut along ==mmme for your child. CZ-% Iparan Hegel yu ch aoe cg pope - &., Cut along EE and arrange aus the parts as shown. = Parents: Please cut along sumsmsms for your childPelican’s Lunch To parents Help your child open and close the scissors with short strokes to cut curves neatly. Through repeated practice, he or she will acquire firm scissor contol Cut along EM and arrange the parts as shown. pelican = Parents: Please cut along =e for your child,rd, your child will pra direction al the % in order to cut zigzag line: your child has Cut along MN . Parents: Please cut along sms for your child,Donel BG & Crab Party Ant In this exercise, the zigzag tine is more difficul, Do not be concerned it your child's cutting is askew. The most important thing is that your child enjoys cutting paper. When your child has completed the exercise, say “erab" aloud while pointing to the word. Cut along Sa. crab < Parents: Please cut along for your child anaCutting in a zigzag is a difficult skill to master. When your child has successtully cut the paper, offer lots of praise. t along a . arents: Please cut along samme for your child xDone! femal Ay 16 Digging Mole When your child is finished cutting along the designated line, pretend to cig in tho ground like the mole. : 2 é Cut along SS. = Parents: Please cut along mummmse for your child.Wi Crocodile Cut along HE. ‘ Seiensieed Arnone ees evouton crocodile .- 44 2 Lin —) Sa x - ” e B won eo ~ YO =Polar Bear To parents Now your child will practice cutting very wavy curves. It is okay for him or her to cut at sharp angles at first. Romind your child to change direction with each stroke. Cut along A. Se Parents: Please cut along samme for your child. polar bearCut along <= Parents: Please cut alo: (ele) (ele) wild boar _ N{= * Camel To parents Help your child open and close the scissors with short strokes in order 1p oi abies jeclis Waugh topoaiod peapioo, Ao On sho wil angie fim scissor contol Hae Cut along | oe te Loe ee cameWhale Die in the Ocean From this page on, your child will practice cutting long lines and stopping. It is okay if your child cannot stop cutting at the +. After cutting, fold along the dashed line and prop up the whale Cut along EN. whale Parents: Please cut along smmmmms for your child, Fold upwards along ss =Dolphins =. mee Ya Swimming To parents If your child is having trouble cutting curved lines, it is okay for him or her to cut sharp angles. After cutting, fold along the dashed line and prop up the dolphins Cut along SE dolphin ‘= Parents: Please cut along for your child. Fold upwards along ==Done! nl = oe a Jumping Frogs < 9 ~ In this exercise, your child needs to hold the paper and turn it while cutting. Make sure he = will acquire firm scissor control. = e Cut along SE. frog Se Parents: Please cut along =m— for your child.26 Let’s Fish! To parents : offer your help. Have fun fishing! Cut along EE. fish S= Parents: Please cut along for your child.Squirrels 5 YM) Swirly Tail To parents In this exercise, your child will hold the paper and rotate it in order to cut in a circular direction. Do not be concerned if your child's cutting is ‘crooked. The most important thing is that your child enjoys cutting paper. ut along a. squirrel Parents: Please cut along =mmsme for your child,Springing Snake ‘The cutting line in this exercise is more difficult to cut than in previous pages. When your child finished, offer lots of pra‘se. Cut along = Parents: Please cut along for your child.Done! Bi ci 2 Chameleon = ae Meee n twisting the chameleon's tail around your child's finger. Cut along SS. Serres nud cranny mee tajnreae chameleonFrom this page on, your child will practice cutting out the figures from the ‘edge of the page. When your child has finished, pretend to be the cat and say something like, “Meow. I'm so sleepy! Cut along Sec Parents: Please cut along samme for your child,cy Puffer Fish To parents In this exercise, your child will practice rotating the paper while cutting in ‘order to cut evenly curved lines. Cut along SS. J= Parents: Please cut along ==aee= for your child. Done! puffer fishHermit Crab To parents When your child is finishod, offor lots of praise and say something lke, “Well done! Did you know that hermit crabs carry their own houses?” Cut along Ma us hermit crabGorilla I your child is cutting off the line, help him or her adjust the direction of the scissors. If your child accidentally cuts into the illustration, just ropair itwith tape. Cut along SS. gorilla J Parents: Please cut along smmmmsm for your childDone! Bo Turtle Family Its okay for your child to close the scissors completely with every stroke if he or she seems to be able to control the scissors well. Cut along SS. ee eee turtleDone! IF your child does not cut perfectly, that is okay. I's more Important that your child enjoys cutting A Cut along SS. pig $< Parents: Please cut along =e for your child.Done! Bunny Hop ‘The designated line here is more difficut than in previous exercises. ‘When your child has successfully cut out the bunny, piease offer lots of praise. S eBOOK: es