quick - reality check needed

**Donkey** · 29-05-2009, 08:31 AM

is this a good idea...

6 year old using sharpish knife to help prepare morning snack under totaly supervision or is this a bad idea???

**jellytot** · 29-05-2009, 08:35 AM

I dont see a problem, If they never use them how will they ever become competent

**RachelE** · 29-05-2009, 08:35 AM

I wouldnt trust my son and he's 8 in September!

You know the child, but personally I wouldnt.

**Mollymop** · 29-05-2009, 08:37 AM

Ummm...

My dd is a big 5 year old and I wouldn't want her to use a sharpish knife. But that's my dd, she is clumsy. ha.

I would do it if I helped hold the knife with the child

**sarah707** · 29-05-2009, 08:38 AM

Depends on the child.

I let little ones use safe knives to cut soft fruit.

Older ones help in the kitchen with bigger knives.

If the child is sensible and you are teaching safety / holding it properly / cutting away from you etc then it is a valuable lesson

**FussyElmo** · 29-05-2009, 08:44 AM

Good idea teach them the basics especially if you have confidence in the child

**tinkerbelle** · 29-05-2009, 08:47 AM

i would as you say you will be watching them my kids do it and the younger ones use a plastic knife to do it

**Princess Sara** · 29-05-2009, 10:47 AM

I would trust my 5yo when he was 4, but he (can be) very sensible under one-to-one supervision.

Really depends on the child, and maybe the reaction you'd get from the parent if it went pear-shaped!

**georgie456** · 29-05-2009, 11:26 AM

Again it depends on the child, but I would with my dd and she's only 4...

**Donkey** · 29-05-2009, 11:36 AM

I tried to cut my finger off with the knife as a test and it wasnt at all sharp...

it went totally fine, we learnt aboud holding the knife properly and making sure our fingers were not in the way...

we were cutting already skinned banana so it was quite easy

but it will make a great pdj for my nvq...
as I was letting him assess the risk for himself.
I asked why he needed to keep his fingers out of the way etc

**Mouse** · 29-05-2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Flutterbyes

I tried to cut my finger off with the knife as a test and it wasnt at all sharp...

Could have been interesting if it was!

Children here use knives & scissors from quite a young age, but obviously with full supervision.
It's amazing how many children go to school unable to use a pair of scissors.

**The Juggler** · 29-05-2009, 01:32 PM

My daughter helps cut up carrots with really sharp knife under really close supervision. They need to learn how to keep fingers etc out of way. If it's just a butter knife no problems if it's sharp I would say just make sure you are there all the time. The danger is they wrap fingers round knife to press harder.

I agree though they only become competent if you show them the dangers. If it's veg/fruit could always use a veg peeler?