1. Determine through discussion or observed reaction which types and brands of single-serving (smaller size bag) snacks (chips, popcorn, etc.) that the student most enjoys. Although verbal praise should be used in most educational exercises, it is not as critical in this case as the end result should be self-rewarding.
2. Assist the student in holding the scissors in the dominant hand and physically guide him or her through the motions of opening and closing the scissors. Reduce guidance until the student can grasp, pick up, and hold the scissors by the handles.
3. Expand the skills learned in Step 2 by holding a piece of construction-type paper in front of the scissors and encouraging or assisting the student in making a straight cut into the paper.
4. Replace the paper from Step 3 with the actual snack bag. Assist the student in cutting off the top of the bag.
5. Expand on the skills learned in Step 4 by physically guiding the student to hold the snack-food bag in the nondominant hand before cutting. Reduce physical guidance to a level of verbal prompts only
6. With the opened bag held in the nondominant hand, assist the student in reaching into the bag and removing one (or a reasonable number) item(s) from the bag. Reduce the assistance offered until none is needed.
7. Perform the entire process by allowing the student a choice from a number Of samples.