Sharp Knives

I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR CHILD GETS HURT WHILE USING A SHARP KNIFE. 
INTRODUCE THIS SKILL AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. 

Four years ago, right before my son turned three, I looked out the kitchen window to find him jumping on the trampoline, butcher knife in hand. He was swinging it and waving it through the air as if he were fighting off a great dragon or monster. I was horrified and immediately, but calmly addressed the situation, careful not to overreact. Of course I told him that sharp knives were not for children and that he was not allowed to touch them. Of course I told him the dangers associated with using a sharp knife. But it didn't work. In the weeks and months that followed I struggled in vain to keep him away from the sharp knifes. I set them up high, but he set a stool on the counter to get them off the top of the fridge. I tried to hide them, but I used them so frequently that he quickly discovered their whereabouts. I talked to him, I punished him, I tried just about everything I could think of and then I gave up and I gave in.

I gave in because he cut his finger when I wasn't in the room and despite the tears and the blood he still wanted to use the knives. So, I showed him a small paring knife and told him that it was his special knife. I told him that he knew the potential consequence of using a sharp knife and that if he was ready to accept that consequence (cut his finger again) he was welcome to use it. I gave him boundaries for where and when he could use his knife and told him that if he broke the rules that his special knife would be taken away. I taught him knife safety and then I had to let it go. Surprisingly for me and for this child this was the right move.

With boundaries in place he was no longer sneaking into the kitchen to use the sharp knives behind my back and he was more willing to help at meal time because he knew it meant he could use his special knife. He has cut his fingers several times throughout the years, but usually as soon as he is bandaged up and his tears are dried he is back at it again. This may not be the right solution for your child and I do not share this to promote the use of sharp knives in young children, but rather to help you understand why I let my kids use something that I know most parents forbid. If you think you might like to give it a try here are some suggestion based off what I have learned from working with my own children for the past four years.

#1 Regular practice with a standard dinner knife (as Olive has done in our previous videos) is the best way for your child to learn how to cut without the risk of cutting their fingers. Just like balance bikes give a smooth transition to pedal bikes, standard knives give a smooth transition to sharp knives because your child will have experience in keeping their fingers out of the way while they chop. Soft fruit is a great starting point. Check out my video on teaching your child how to cut soft fruit for more ideas.

#2 Your child must be standing in place to use a sharp knife. When we first started this four years ago I would get their knife and give it to them once they were on their stepping stool or sitting on their bar stool with a cutting board ready to go.

#3 Use a small paring knife. Although sharp enough to cut your child's finger it is not big enough to do serious damage. I found some at Walmart recently as well as Pampered Chef. They are about six inches in total length and the blades are thin and small.

#4 Prep the food for them. This means you are not going to hand them a sharp knife and an apple and just let them go for it. When they are first starting out and especially if they are little (between the ages of 3 and 6) you are going to prep everything for them to cut to ensure that nothing is going to suddenly roll around or slip while they are cutting. This also means that you are going to prep everything to size because their hands and fingers are small and cannot cut large foods safely. For example this zucchini has been sliced into quarters creating strips that are easy to manage and have at least one flat side for stability.

The only exception I make to this is cherry tomatoes, grapes, and green beans because they are small enough for them to secure safely with their hand. (This is a bit more advanced so you will want to make sure you are confident in your child's ability to use a sharp knife before attempting this one).

#5 Stay close by so you can frequently remind them to watch their fingers, slow down or be careful. You can never give too many reminders.

#6 If they do cut their finger don't freak out. Cutting your finger is something you never grow out of (I just cut mine earlier this week) and it generally helps your child learn to be more cautious in the future.

Although it is sad to see them hurt and in pain, in my opinion, the benefits of teaching your child to use a knife far outweigh the risks. My older kids (now ages 8 and 7) come into the kitchen every day to cut their own fruits and vegetables for school lunch and after school snacks rather than grabbing something that is prepackaged. Habits are hard to change and eating habits are no exception. In my experience the more prepackaged food I keep in my house the less likely my kids are to grab fresh produce. If you want your child to make healthy food choices you have to empower them by letting them get their own food and teaching them how to prepare it. Once again, as stated above, I am not responsible if your child gets hurt while using a sharp knife. Every child is different and every parent works differently with their children. Be smart and in tune with your child's strengths when determining if and when you might want to introduce this skill.