NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) Practice Test 2026 - Free COTA Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The typical age range when a child can hold and snip with scissors is between 2 to 3 years old. At this developmental stage, children begin to refine their hand skills and demonstrate increased dexterity. They not only learn to grasp the scissors with a proper grip but also start to engage in simple cutting motions. This activity is a significant milestone as it shows the child’s ability to coordinate their hand movements, which is essential for fine motor development.

During this age, children may not yet be able to cut well along a straight line, but they can manage to snip at the paper’s edge. This skill reflects their growing control over their hand and finger movements, setting the foundation for more complex tasks that involve cutting and other fine motor activities as they continue to develop.