Calming activities are so important for all ages … and especially this year. For our calming unit, I again designed the cutting strips to be consistent with physical distancing during the pandemic. They either show one child or family members participating in calming activities.
There are seven different calming activities on the first page with another photo on the second page. As usual, the free calming cutting strips are an instant download and super easy to prepare.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Montessori-Inspired Printables at Living Montessori Now
My daughter, Chrissy (a former Montessori child), and I are partnering to bring you a series of Montessori-inspired printables. (Note: Chrissy has some sweet, themed, free kids’ fitness printables that are great for homes or classrooms!)
The printables are typically themed and use a number of Montessori principles (although you don’t need to be a Montessori teacher or homeschooler to use them). The cutting strips use photographs or realistic images to emphasize reality. These cutting strips have photographs of 8 calming activities.
Preschoolers love to learn proper terminology, so I tell you the name of the objects or animals featured whenever I can. I list what each photo is on the credits page.
Free Calming Cutting Strips
To download, click here and then click on the file image in the upper right corner of the PDF to save to your computer (just choose where you want it saved).
Note: Go to the bottom of the post for free cutting strips for a wide variety of themes!
Montessori-Inspired Activity Using the Calming Cutting Strips
Cutting skills are so important for preschoolers. Two year olds can begin working on them, too. When children are first working on cutting skills, they’ll have an easier time cutting cardstock than paper. So, in the beginning, I recommend printing the strips on cardstock. Printer paper is fine for children with more advanced cutting skills.
I’m not sure where I got the basket, although the small Multicraft tray would work, too. I’ve always liked Fiskar scissors for kids, which are sharp enough to cut paper easily.
For home use with the cutting work, I like to have a small container to catch the paper scraps. I used a small wooden box we had, although you could use any small container. For younger children, I recommend keeping the basket or tray up out of reach when it’s not being used.
For classroom use, you might want to use Ziplock bags to catch the scraps. Children have fun taking their scraps home in a bag … or saving them to paste onto a collage.
Peace and Mindfulness Resources and Activities
Mindfulness Products for Kids on Amazon
- Free Calming Printables and Montessori-Inspired Calming Activities
- Free Yoga Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Calming Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Peace Printables and Montessori-Inspired Peace Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Peace Education Activities
- How to Prepare a Peace Corner
- Friendship Flower Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Friendship Activities
- Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- How to Teach Toddlers and Preschoolers to Take Turns and Work Together
- The Best Children’s Books about Taking Turns and Sharing
- How to Prepare a Montessori Peace Tray
- Montessori Services Peace Activities and Resources Review
- Best Peace Quotes
- Equality and Peace Resources for Parents and Teachers
- The Silence Game {Montessori Activity to Develop Self Discipline}
- Free Guided Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep and Relaxation {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Best Nelson Mandela Quotes
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Teens and Adults
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Kids
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Mindfulness Songs for Kids
- Promote Peace with Holidays Around the World Resources
- The Ultimate List of Free Meditation Printables for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- “Education Is the Best Weapon for Peace” Montessori Word Art Freebie
- The Best Peace Books for Kids
- The Best Mindfulness Books for Kids
- Free Peace Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Peace Do-a-Dot Printables (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Peace Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori Education Week Free Peace Lesson
- Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Let’s Sing Peace Around the World at School and at Home
- How to Make a 100 Hearts Sensory Bottle (100 Hearts Calming Bottle)
- Thank You for Planet Earth (or Thank You, Planet Earth) Mindfulness Cards and Booklet
- Free Mindfulness Resources from Calm
- Anti-Racism Resources for Parents and Teachers
- Free Juneteenth Songs and Educational Videos
- Animal-Inspired Mindfulness Affirmation Cards and Booklet in Manuscript and Cursive
- Kids’ Peace and Mindfulness Activities Pinterest Board
Don’t miss our themed monthly packs! You’ll get the link and password for the Living Montessori Now subscriber library with the current pack and all the past monthly packs if you subscribe to the Living Montessori Now weekly newsletter!
The Best Way to Begin Working on Scissor Cutting Skills
Even before using cutting strips, I recommend using an easier object to cut, such as strings of beads. You’ll find lots of tips and ideas for teaching scissor skills in my post on developing scissor cutting skills with Montessori-inspired activities.
More Montessori-Inspired Paper Cutting Activities
You’ll find ideas for home and classroom setups in my post on Montessori-inspired paper cutting activities.
All Our Free Themed Cutting Strips
I’ve arranged the following gallery in alphabetical order. Just click on an image to go to the post with the related free printable!
You can see all our free cutting strips with the latest at the top here.
I hope your child (or students) enjoys using the cutting strips. 🙂
If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven’t already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook page where you’ll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), and YouTube. While you’re here, please check out the Living Montessori Now shop.
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