5 year old using knife

Senior Member Joined: Jan 23 2008 Posts: 179

Would you let a 5 year old girl use a sharp knife to chop veggies? I never would before, but Friday she was begging me to let her so I did and watched her very carefully. My older kids were shocked that I was allowing it.

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 11:53 am Post subject: re: 5 year old using knife

I have let my 4 and 5 year olds use a BUTTER knife to help me chop vegetables when I am right next to them. Only soft things, like cucumbers and mushrooms and also apples/pears for a fruit compote when soft.

I wouldn't let them use a sharper knife yet. They relish the opportunity to be big girls in the kitchen and it keeps them happy and occupied.

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 11:55 am Post subject: Re: 5 year old using knife

Senior Member Joined: Jan 23 2008 Posts: 179

She was using a butter knife till now but wanted to graduate to the sharper one!

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 11:56 am Post subject: re: 5 year old using knife

I wouldn't, but when she's a little older:

http://www.amazon.com/Harold-I.....amp;sr=1-3

Silver Member Joined: Mar 31 2010 Posts: 554

The Pampered Chef sells a knife for kids that's not pointy or too sharp. I got it and it's good enough for cutting up veggies (although it doesn't cut cleanly) but my kids love using it because it makes them feel grown-up and it gets the job done.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 14256

I usually let my 5.5 yo cut veggies with a plastic knife. Last week, he wanted to cut peppers and the plastic knife would have mushed them. So I cut the peppers into strips and gave him a 26+ yo serrated knife and let him use that. It was fine, with supervision of course.
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Senior Member Joined: Jan 23 2008 Posts: 179

Thanks Barbara!! If only they made it in children's sizes Wink

Gold Member Joined: Jul 26 2008 Posts: 1347

I let my 5 year old DD chop veggies with a regular paring knife. I stand right over her, my hands right over hers and don't take my eyes away for a SECOND and she does a great job and is so proud of herself.

But you have to know your kid. She's very serious and has awesome fine motor skills and very good eye-hand coordination. If your child isn't coordinated, it might not be safe to let them use a sharp knife at that age...

Diamond Member Joined: Jun 24 2008 Posts: 2647

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: 5 year old using knife

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: 5 year old using knife

Executive Member Joined: Jan 12 2010 Posts: 336

If you do, supervise closely. I have older kids who cut cheese for themselves. My 6 year old decided to cut herself a slice of cheese - she missed and cut her finger pretty bad and needed stitches. It will probably be a long time before she's not afraid of using a sharp knife.

Silver Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 796

Absolutely not! Are you kidding? Shocked

I taught them from a very early age that it's dangerous. When they want to help peel vegetables, I give them an old, blunt peeler. Otherwise, no, no, no. I don't understand why mothers who scream child abuse for smacking a child for running in the street or are vehemently opposed to locking a child in his/her room can allow, no..give, a child a tool for cutting. What would CPS say to that if the child chops off a finger or two by accident?

Active Poster Joined: Apr 26 2010 Posts: 36

I learnt my lesson the hard way when I let my 5 year old cut a cucumber with a plastic knife. She cut herself and everyone looked at me like I am a horrible mom. We going back to only cutting very very soft things or just mixing the salas.

Diamond Member Joined: Jun 24 2008 Posts: 2647

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: 5 year old using knife

Gold Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 1578

Posted: Sun, Jul 18 2010, 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: re: 5 year old using knife