Establish where your preschooler is with their development of using scissors. Do they hedge cut? Do they cut with the scissors but hold them upside down? Do they hold them correctly?
Use playdough for a cutting medium. This is the best for beginners as well as experienced scissor cutters. Playdough allows for a successful cut each time.
Move onto cardstock or cardboard (the thickness of a cereal box) next. This will continue to give your preschooler the success they need, to continue to be a skilled cutter. Next use straws and small strips of cardstock.
Develop cutting skills next by drawing simple large shapes like circles, squares and triangles on a piece of cardstock for your preschooler to cut out.
Cut regular paper. This is the final step. Paper should be used when your preschooler is able to hold the scissor upright and successfully cut one of the other mediums mentioned.