This is common for children in the first or second grade. Now that they are in “big kid’s school,” they feel a certain pressure to perform and make things perfect. As an adult, you can help by offering them crafts that are less free-form and more methodical in their approach. Silhouette cutting is one such skill. It is mostly a dying art but one that your child can master with a few tools and minimal oversight. The process is fun, and the results are always impressive even to adults.
Step 1: Get Your Project Materials
Most of the materials are easily found at stationery stores, art stores, or around the house. To start, you would need the following items:
A digital cameraPlain printer paperLight- to medium-weight black construction paperHeavier white cardstock paperA glue stickScissors
Scissors come in a variety of sizes, so find the one that fits your child’s hand. For an inexperienced cutter, select scissors with a blunt point. Older kids may want to use smaller manicure scissors to capture the finer details in the artwork. Left-handed children should be given left-handed scissors.
Step 2: Create a Photographic Template
Start by taking a profile photo of your child with a digital camera. This will be used as the template for the final art piece. (On the other hand, your child may want to take a picture of you for your birthday or a Mother’s or Father’s Day gift.) To get the best image, have your child stand in front of a plain wall facing sideways. The plainer the background, the better. You can even drape a bedsheet over a door to create a neutral backdrop. The aim is to avoid busy backgrounds that may confuse the child when he or she starts cutting. Once you download the file onto your computer, you can use a simple graphics program to enlarge or sharpen the image. If you like, you can also convert it to a black-and-white image if the contrast is bright enough. Now, print and you’re ready to go.
Step 3: Cut out the Silhouette
While children six or older should be able to do this on their own, you will probably want to be around to encourage and support them. Take things one step at a time, and try not to overwhelm the child with too much information at once. If you do, the child may want to rush off and do things on his or her own. By taking it step-by-step, it can be a more pleasurable experience for you both. To begin, offer your child the following instructions: You’re done! With practice, your child can expand the repertoire to include other family portraits or to play with different colored papers or poses. Encourage creativity and remind your child that there is no such thing as a mistake.
