Comments on: Why Kids Need Knife Skills

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Wed, 20 May 2020 02:56:03 +0000

In reply to Ruth Henderson. What a wonderful story! It sounds like you are a great teacher and those kids are lucky to have you!

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:47:40 +0000

In reply to ERICA MCCULLAGH. I typically start my youngest off with using a butter knife and move them up from there, but you certainly could use that type if you're worried...

By: ERICA MCCULLAGH

ERICA MCCULLAGH — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 18:48:57 +0000

Katie,
I currently starting to let my children help in the kitchen since we have more time during the stay at home orders. Do you recommend using “kid safe” knives made from nylon as a starting point or just jump right in with sharp metal knives? These are the ones I was considering. Smaller handle and less likely to cut them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P17NN49/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=51e64c77e5aecd703352c4fb14c6c81f&language=en_US

By: Ruth Henderson

Ruth Henderson — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 18:43:04 +0000

As a first-grade teacher, every year around Thanksgiving I did a Stone Soup unit , in which there was a lot of vegetable chopping involved. I had a teacher’s aide, to help, but it was taking us quite a while. One of my students, age 7, offered her cutting services. I looked at her and asked, “Do you know how to use a knife?” She said that yes, she did, and had been helping her mom in the kitchen since preschool. “Show me, please,” and she demonstrated her skills with care and obvious expertise. I appointed her my sous-chef, and though she was having trouble learning to read, she was a culinary whiz. The other kids showed her respect from then on, and begged to be allowed to help, but I knew that out of the corner of my eye I could only watch one kid at a time. She soon memorized the entire book “Stone Soup” and become a competent reader while learning English. You never know where those skills are going to take you. The entire class soon became a panel of experts in painting, sculpture, singing, sewing,, dancing, chess-playing, computers, and teaching different sports and academic content.

By: Kathleen Timmins

Kathleen Timmins — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 13:28:15 +0000

The picture you are using on your article about Kids having knife skills is NOT showing good knife skills. Not sure if you wanted to show poor knife skills or not, but I couldn’t find where you say the picture shows the incorrect way to use a knife. Correct skill would be to hold the carrot securely and the the fingers are ALL on the handle not one laying on the top of the blade.
I definitely believe children should learn to be self sufficient and learn kitchen skills that are appropriate to their age and dexterity. Please either note the picture is not good knife skills or perhaps show a picture showing the correct way to handle the knife and stabilizing the item being cut.
Thanks for the article.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 12:34:13 +0000

They will like veggies and fruits for the rest of their life and after they leave their parents home !!!!!

By: sandra

sandra — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 18:59:37 +0000

Great post on knives and kids thriving !!~~ loved it ????

By: Carrie

Carrie — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 20:10:37 +0000

Fantastic! Kids that cook are kids that thrive.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:52:54 +0000

I think this is such a great topic! I never even considered the developmental impacts something like this could have on a child. I don’t have children yet, but I thoroughly plan on referencing so many of the wonderful posts you create here. Keep up the good work!

By: Kit

Kit — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 03:56:43 +0000

My children and now grandchildren were taught to safely use knives in Montessori preschool and progressed to preparing and cooking their lunches as they grew into elementary and jr. High. Also in preschool they were encouraged to use water stations with real glass pitchers and small glass tumblers. Of course there were a few accidental breakages. Never any shaming, they simply were helped to take care of their of their mess in a very safe way with the teacher handling any broken glass the child mopping away the water. After the first month or so, those accidents were a rarity. And the children very satisfied in their abilities to take care of their own selves.

By: Amy Neely

Amy Neely — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:06:01 +0000

As my kids have gotten older they have lost some of their enthusiasm to help me cook. My bigs are 6 and 4. All I let them do was pour in my measured out ingredients and stir. No wonder they got bored. They will be thrilled to get knives and burners thrown in the mix. My 6 year old often asks me “how old can I do this or that” if it’s something dangerous I often tell him 47 or something silly (ride a motorcycle was 99). This article opened my eyes to the harm my “silliness” could have on their confidence, judgement and self reliance. I will change my language to let’s try it at a beginner level and see what you can do now. Even “when can I drive a car” they know they have to have a license and pass tests, but they drive a golf cart now. Excited for meal time bonding with this! Thanks:)

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 00:02:30 +0000

Good post. It’s hard for me to remember exactly when I started using knives. I think at about age six or seven, although I may have been younger. My mom and dad would both have me help them in the kitchen. When I started cooking myself, I would let my younger siblings help. There are 14 of us kids altogether, and we take turns making meals. Cooking is even more fun for kids than adults, I think.

By: Allen MacDiarmid

Allen MacDiarmid — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 21:02:29 +0000

In reply to Alyssa. Water is dangerous only when we DON'T let them swim. When the Lusitania sank, the infants were still swimming around long after their parents had drowned. Herman Melville wrote about the South Sea Islanders having their infants swim from soon after birth so fewer of them drowned later on in life. He wrote that book in the early 1900's, so we have known about this for more than a hundred years, yet we still fail our children and lose them to unnecessary drownings over the years.

By: Marie Santos

Marie Santos — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 06:19:17 +0000

This looks awesome, but the website is a bit overwhelming. Any suggestions on where to start when you have young children? One course at a time?

By: Abbi

Abbi — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 00:05:29 +0000

I have let the kids help me in the kitchen from the time they were very little. I would guess they started using knives at around 2 – with supervision of course and cutting easy soft things. My boys got pocket knives around the age of 5 and all of them have grown to be very responsible (that doesn’t mean they have never had a cut – they have – but they haven’t been serious). Now I am super blessed to have kids that can run the kitchen by themselves (ages 9-16) which is super helpful when I am busy or sick as I have been the last two days. Also have some talented wood carvers as well.

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:50:24 +0000

In reply to Joyce Stich. Hi Joyce, I'm not sure what you're referring to. What do you mean you've received the post 4 or 5 times?

By: Alexa

Alexa — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:42:27 +0000

My daughter uses a butterknife scince she has been 2 (3 now). She cuts Bananas and Kiwi and cucumbers. Sometimes something that is not that easy to cut with a sharper knife and my help too. She never ever cuts herself, but I wouldn’t mind if that had happened once. Small accidents prevent big accidents my mom used to say… I was brought up eating what my parents ate using fork and knife by age of 3. I wasn’t ‘tought’ that. It was just the way they did and I copied them. And they let me. I’m grateful for that. My Mom had fears but she would let me climb, walk stairs, jump , play with water and dirt. That’s how I bring up my kids too.

Enjoying your articles. THANKS.

By: Joyce Stich

Joyce Stich — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:03:04 +0000

This is the 4th or 5th time I have received this post. Can you please limit to one only? Thank you. Joyce

By: Joli Tripp

Joli Tripp — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:03:38 +0000

This post was about so much more than just kids using knives. I LOVE your philosophy about giving children responsibility and involving them in the kitchen (and everywhere else!). How can we expect our children to thrive in the world without learning the basics and moreover to learn to be curious about them and enjoy them.

By: Mary Semako

Mary Semako — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:31:33 +0000

Keep up the good work. Your post has been very knowledgeable & motivating. Welldone