Your child will develop fine motor contro] skills while having fun using scisso¥s to cut lines and shapes.Kumon First Steps Workbooks help children develop fi otor skills ag preparation for writing letters and numbers. cd Special features of this book book’: t basic book allows parer time together. book is structured control skills while aequ imple design can help child skills while havi and children to share me: that y ng new vocabulary 1 as young as (wo learn 2 fun. child will develop fine motor 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: 4. Cutting by opening and closing scissors once (one stroke). 2. Cutting along a line by opening and closing scissors repeatedly. Se 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 + 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 illustration by Mavami Ogura Wk Cover design by Toshihiko Karakida Wi Interior design by Hiroshi Watanabe W Planning by Michiko Kazuma Wi Interior ilaeracions by Shin Sakow, Katsoya Takabashi, Muncnori Misgi, Kimibisa Mosonobu Ww Phosographs by Scichi Otwka Copyright © 2011, Kumon Publishing Co., Ltd. Reproduction of these materials is prohibited. ‘Any other use oF reproduction of these materials requires the prior written consent of Kumon Publishing North America,How to use re 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. ' t t t t 1 1 ‘ ‘ ' 1 1 ' t ' ' ' ' t ' 1 ' t ' 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 0 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. ‘4 Please choose easy-to-use safety scissors. Pictured on the right are plastic safely scissors. 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, es! SSooseus e ' 1 1 1 ' ' 1 ' 1 : 1 1 ' 1 ' 1 1 , ' 'BO a use this book 2 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. 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. ‘sin 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. ' t t | 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. t t ' ' iS ‘In order to cut neatly, use the section of the biades nearest to the joint in the scissors.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 goes off the ‘cutting line or cuts unevenly. Please keep an eye on your child so he or she does not get hurt Cut along < Parents: Please cut along smmmmms for your child. c — sea otterCat inthe 9 -«. Vd Fish Bowl > To parents ~ ff Encourage your child to practice opening and closing the scissors. If he o 4 or she is having difficulty holding the paper steady while cutting, you can om place the paper on the table. Cut along NS. cat rents: Please cut along = for your child,Itis okay if your child cuts off the lino or cuts unevenly. The important thing is that he or she enjoys the exercise. Cut along SE. 3< Parents: Please cut along samme for your child~* Chirp Chirp! To parents When your child has completed the exercise, offer praise and say “bird” aloud While pointing to the word. Cut along SS. Parents: Please cut along sme for your child. Donel B- 4 . bird @Cat and Mouse . Pere a ae To parents From this page on, your child will practice opening and closing the scissor repeatedly to cut longer lines. It is okay for your child to stop aftar one stroke and start over again Cut along EE. cat and mouse <= Parents: Please cut along for your childFish Goes Fishing To parents Encourage your child to help the small fish escape from the big fish by ccuiting the center line. When your child finishes, offer lots of praise. Cut along MEME and arrange the parts as shown. iThe line on this page is diagonal and longer than the previous exercise. Do not be concetned if your child's cutting is askew. When your child finishes, offer lots of praise and encourage him or her to arrange the putsasaneen Cut along HEY and arrange the parts as shown.Elephant o. }- To parents i This page is more complicated than the previous exercise. If your child seems to be having a difficult time cutting properly, you can guide his or e oe ® her hand in the right direction. Give appropriate help so that your child can enjoy the activity without feeling pressured. Cut along EE and arrange the parts as shown. elepha nt Parents: Please cut along =m for your child.Cow and Done! By . Se, Calf Co : Fey. To parents From this page on, your child will practice cutting curving lines. It is okay if your child cute off of the line, or cuts in straight lines at first. Help your child open and close scissors with short ates strokes in order fo cut curves neatly, vie oe Cut along MM and arrange ‘= the parts as shown. ee ates: lease cut long mmm fo our cl COW a aMonkeying =.» o Around ey Encourage your child to cut curves siowly and steadily. When he or she has successfully cut the paper, offer lots of praise, Cut along SM and arrange the parts as shown. mon key }< Parents: Please cut along smmmee for your child,bo na be creamed your hs cutie is unwen. tho most SIT gu impertant things fa yo chi nya elt pop mA Cut along EE and arrange co ' the parts as shown. $= Parents: Please cut along summmmms 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 control. Cut along EE and arrange the parts as shown. pelican Je Parents: Please cut along samme for your child.cut the paper, off: arents: Please cut along =e for your child, x * bd . ° a es Pe Ge a Uti, @ ie a i CS be il chs @e aa salads aC ° ea es Ca) er Ae | ® ®@ ee i a } hd [) cx Ar) L Ji ) @ @Donel BR Crab Party = 4 To parents aiad In this exercise, the zigzag line is more dificult. Do not be concemed if iB fe your childs cutting is askew. The most important thing is that your child enjoys cutting paper. When your child has completed the exercise, say “crab” aloud white pointing to the word. Cut along crab ¥< Parents: Please cut along for your child. or JeCutting in a zigzag is a difficult skill to mastor. When your child has Successfully cut the paper, ofr lots of praise. Cut along ES. Se Parents: Please cut along == for your childWhen your child is finished cutting along the designated line, pretend to dig in tho ground like the mole. ut along Je< Parents: Please cut along sums for your child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 drrection with each stroke. Cut along ES. Ss Parents: Please cut along seme for your child. polar beara 3 Camel To parents Help your child open and close the scissors with shor! strokes in order Jo o4t cuties foci, Tvcugh repeated pros, Aa OF ako Wil eoipire fim scissor conta AETV Cut along Ped pes ety eee camel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 Ea. whale Parents: Please cut along smmmmes for your child, Fold upwards along =. =Dolphins =. a Yad 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 HM dolphin ‘=< Parents: Please cut along smmmmmm for your child. Fold upwards along =.= SoodDone! ri Jumping Frogs ~, To parents - In this exercise, your child needs to hold the paper and turn it while cutting. Make sure he ‘or she is holding the scissors at the proper angle. Through repeated practice, he or she e will acquite firm scissor control , <5, . Cut along SE. frog Parents: Please cut along =m for your child26 Let’s Fish! To parents I your child seems to be having difticulty cutting along the designated line, offer your help. Have fun fishing! Cut along SN. Parents: Please cut along for your child,Squirrel’s =. 5, 27 Swirly Tail To parents In this exercise, your child will hold the paper and rotate it in order to cut in a arcular direction. Do not ‘crooked. The most important thing is that your child enjoys cutting paper. Cut along Si squirrel Parents: Please cut along smmsee for your child,Springing Snake ‘The cutting line in this exercise is more difficult to cut than in previous pages. When your child finished, otter lots of pra‘se. Cut along = Parents: Please cut along for your child.Chameleon Rad To parent Haye fun twisting the chameleon's tail around your child's finger. Cut along SE. = Parents: Please cut along fescue 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. Im so sleepy! Cut along SS. Parents: Please cut along summa for your child,Puffer Fish To parents. In this exercise, your child will practice rotating the paper while cutting in order to cut evenly curved lines. pe puffer fishTo parents When your child is finishod, offor lots of praiso and say something like, “Well done! Did you know that hermit crabs carry their own houses?” Cut along Ma hermit crabGorilla It 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 repair itwith tape. Cut along SS. gorilla = Parents: Please cut along summa for your childDone! Turtle Family It is okay for your child to close the scissors completely with every stroke if he or she seems to be able 10 contfol the scissors well Cut along SE turtle Parents: Please cut along for your child.To parents It your child does not cut perfectly, that is okay. It's more important that your child enjoys cutting Cut along A. pig $? som: a Om a: a “* uelpsendy Jo jualed e 2 = e a 0g ~ uO payuesald ae sjeunuy Sulizewy jaedeg nD $a] fe Bunejdwoo uo payeynyesBuoo Aqauay si -° JFUSUMIIATINYOY Jo we gs. Bo Caras eae mKUMOQN MATH. READING. SUCCESS. READY. SET. LEARN! We'd like to introduce you to our after-school learning centers where children unlock their true potential to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Kumon is the world’s largest after-school math and reading enrichment program. Kumon is just right for both advanced students who need to be challenged and for students who need help catching up. For preschoolers and kindergartners, Junior Kumon is carefully designed as an interactive, individualized program to fully engage young students and allow them to explore math and reading concepts at their own pace. The strong foundation acquired in Junior Kumon is further reinforced with continued Kumon study throughout later years. Call 800-ABC-MATH or visit Kumon.com to rc begin your child’s Kumon experience. Once x you are directed to a nearby Center, an eg Junior Instructor will meet with you and your child, fully explain the program and the benefits of Ry starting early, evaluate your child’s readiness and help you assess the best time to get started. 800-ABC-MATH www.kumon.comLets Cut Paper! ae If your child enjoyed this First Steps Workbook, consider one of our other Kumon Workbook titles. Each workbook is designed to guide your child through a particular skill or learning concept. First Steps Workbooks Your child will develop fine motor control skills and pencil control through coloring, folding, pasting, and cutting paper. These skills are an important foundation for further learning. First Steps Workbooks are specially designed for children who have not yet mastered the use of a pencil. 2 i 2 Vata calor! (I Lets Fouts et cit at US $5.95/ CAN $6.95 amon Publishing North America, Ine ration aut oar WW. Bur BAe Sule #8, Teaneck. fey es ISBN 978-1-935800-22-4 woes 5 0595 > Copytight ©2011 by Kumon Publishing Co, Lid AAtighis reserved Pirted n China 9"781935'800224'