Sharp (not pointed) scissors for toddler - is this completely mad?

[Octaviapink]

I have solid memories of the endless frustration I endured as a small child only ever having childrens' (ie blunt) scissors to cut with. Fast-forward to about three weeks ago and I bought 2.7 DD her own pair of scissors because she kept wanting to use mine. She was over the moon until she tried to cut anything and was massively disappointed. She kept asking me to cut things for her and frankly I couldn't get them to cut anything either, except playdoh.

It seems to me that a properly sharp pair (not pointed at the ends, of course) would result in less frustration, applying less force (because presumably the same rule applies as with knives - blunt ones are more dangerous) and if she gives herself a small cut then she'll learn about being careful with sharp edges. It's not like she's going to lay open an artery.

Is it totally irresponsible/mad to get her some sharp ones? Am I missing something?

Even pointed ones, if you teach your child to use them sensibly, are safe. DS knows that if he doesn't obey the rules he'll have to use blunt ones instead (same with knives), and thats a strong motivator for him.

Not mad at all. As long as you supervise usage and they're not massive shears or anything, I think it's far safer to have scissors that actually cut things first time. I feel the same way as you do about kitchen knives which has meant teaching DS to cook is a far more nail-biting experience (for me) than it probably ought to be.

just remember to hide them somewhere they can't get their hand on them without you knowing!

Not mad. We have had the ones below for a couple of years, they are v. good. Echo the pp though, if scissors cut paper then they also cut hair, curtains, clothes,houseplants etc. Also bitter experience talking.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiskars-Animals-Kids-Childrens-scissors-Bumble-Bee-13cm-/140619653857?pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ&hash=item20bd95a2e1#ht_500wt_1054

Those look really good! I tried her yesterday with an old pair of embroidery scissors that I didn't mind sacrificing to paper-cutting and she was ecstatically cutting straws into tiny short straws and then sticking them to the previous day's painting (she likes a LOT of paint so it takes a couple of days to dry...). So I think sharp scissors it is - there's a heavy drawer in the larder (that she can't open) that all her messy stuff is in so they can live in there.

Thanks everyone!

At least she can use scissors! You'd be surprised how many children come to school having never ever been allowed to use scissors,and have absolutely no idea how to use them. Incidentally, I managed to cut my finger with round edged scissors whilst I was showing a child how to cut stuff out!! Blood all over! Very embarrassing.

I always gave my children scissors that actually cut things, glue at actually stuck things together, crayons that actually coloured in, gardening tools that actually gardened..... the list goes on. The key thing is to teach them to use them properly.

I figure the supervision is more so they don't cut stuff you don't want cut, rather than them cutting themselves!

As it happens ds (3) doesn't have scissors other than playdough ones, but is getting to be a dab hand with a carrot peeler (first used at 2.6 and kept him happy for ages - the carrot survived fairly unscathed!)

Yes, DD loves the kitchen implements too. She's sometimes allowed to cut a banana up with a proper knife but mostly she footles around with peelers, whisks etc. Insisted on eating her supper with a whisk a couple of months ago.