Try these tree cutting strips for scissor skills and fine motor practice with limitless possibilities. Add them to your collection of themed cutting strips today.
Nature is a source of wonder for preschoolers. Inspire their curiosity while building essential skills! These tree fine motor strips keep the kids engaged and are perfect during a tree unit. You can also add them to your next nature or gardening theme.
One of the reasons I love the tree cutting printables is they’re so versatile. You and your students can use them in a multitude of ways, with a wide variety of materials.
Related: Free Preschool Printables
You will find the link to request your own copy of the tree cutting strips at the bottom of this post. Make sure to get your copy!
Tree Cutting Strips
Let’s jump into the tree cutting practice! I will share several ideas that I have for using these tree fine motor strips but I’m sure you will come up with more. Share your ideas in the comment section below so we can all share your creativity.
How to Prep the Tree Fine Motor Strips
First, you need to grab your supplies! As promised, there are just a few to gather before you set your preschoolers loose for fun and skill building. Below is a list of what I tend to use (I may get commissions for purchases made through the links in this post):
- Tree Cutting Strips (scroll down to request your free printable copy!)
- Printer
- Scissors
- Paper cutter
- Dry erase pockets
- Laminator
These are the basics you will need. If you want to expand this fine motor activity here is a list of extra supplies:
This isn’t an exhaustive list, so don’t feel penned in by my suggestions. Make sure to double check your own supply closet for any items that you could use.
The nature theme here also lends itself to using found objects like acorns, small leaves or other items your preschoolers might discover outside. Manipulating these small objects also adds to the fine motor skills we are practicing here.
Once you have your materials, it’s time to prep the tree cutting strips. Here’s what to do:
- Print as many copies as you’d like.
- Next, cut the pages apart into individual tree fine motor strips.
- Finally, laminate them if you’d like them to be reusable. Otherwise, leave them as is.
And now you and the kids are ready to go!
How to Use the Tree Cutting Strips
Start things off by modeling the process! Then instruct your preschoolers to cut along the dotted line moving from left to right.
Related: Tree Art Ideas
Is your preschooler struggling with traditional scissors? In this case you could try using auto-open scissors. These were a real game changer for my students who were frustrated with this skill.
As you can see, another use of the tree cutting strips is to place them in a dry erase packet or laminate and allow preschoolers to connect the dots, again moving from left to right. Create excitement by offering different colors of dry erase markers and letting preschoolers choose their favorite.
More Ways to Use the Tree Cutting Strips
It is important to acknowledge the short attention span of preschoolers and circle back to this skill many times. While keeping it fresh and interesting for them, of course. Here are a few ideas to try:
- First, test out the strips with playdough. Kids can roll the dough into “logs” and place the snakes along the dotted paths on each of the tree cutting strips.
- Next, place the strips in the bottom of a shallow tray. Add a thin layer of sand on top. Then let the kids use small sticks or their fingers to trace the patterns into the sand.
- Thirdly, pair the fine motor activity with small candies, like M&Ms or Skittles. Children place them along the lines on each strip.
- Last, use nature-themed manipulatives to trace the lines on each tree fine motor strip. If you have more than one type of manipulative, challenge the kids to make patterns along the way!
How will you use the tree cutting strips for your preschoolers? Scroll to the bottom and share your thoughts in the comment section!
What Skills are Being Practiced with the Tree Fine Motor Strips?
Fun is the chief component here, and if kids aren’t having fun their minds are closed or directed elsewhere. But of course they’re learning as they have fun! So, specifically what skills are preschoolers learning during these fine motor activities?
Some of the early learning concepts that kids can explore while using these tree fine motor strips include:
- Left to right progression
- Fine motor skills
- Hand strengthening
- Scissor skills
- Pencil grip
- Counting
- Patterns
As I have shown, there are a wide variety of skills to practice with the tree cutting strips! And all of these skills build towards reading and writing skills they will master in kindergarten. A preschool teacher’s job is to inspire curiosity, engage students in learning, and ultimately provide the foundations for lifelong learning.
Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this post to grab your free printable of the tree cutting strips!
More Cutting Practice Activities for Kids
Cutting is a challenging skill to master. Practice makes progress is especially true when it comes to scissor proficiency. Invite your preschoolers to keep practicing all year long with these varied cutting activities:
Remember that cutting is a challenging skill for many preschoolers. In this case keep discouragement from getting the best of them by refocusing on other fine motor skills and hand strengthening activities before trying again. For example, try asking your preschooler to cut playdough into smaller pieces to increase their confidence.
Flowers and Plants Tracing Strips
Planning and prepping lessons and activities to keep your students’ little minds actively engaged can certainly be exhausting. My sister site, Preschool Teacher 101, has got you covered. Our fully developed curriculum including lesson plans, activities, and other resources allow you to relax and focus on enjoying your precious students.
Click on the image below to get our Flowers and Plants Tracing Strips for Fine Motor Practice:
Finish your unit planning with the lesson plans and game below. Click on each image to get your copies:
Have I convinced you yet? Dive into The Pack as a member of Preschool Teachers 101 and take full advantage of all the resources available to you. Our pack members get steep discounts on all of our products. Everyone loves a discount!
Request Tree Cutting Strips Printable
This free printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, fill out the form below and the download links will be sent to your inbox. If you’re not a member, you can join us by entering your information in the form. Straightaway you’ll receive the tree cutting printable as a welcome gift!
Be sure to check out my printing FAQ page if you run into any issues.
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