Do/Would you allow your 10 year old to use knives?

happy35

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My teen can make supernoodles and that it. I REALLY need to teach him! He does a great job of washing up though![/QUOTE]

haha, you have acheived something that I never have then

vulpix

My own children have used knives for cooking since they were very young.

I worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school and had a very understanding Y2 teacher who agreed with me that teaching cooking skills were vital.I taught groups of up to 8 children how to use knives safely.The children loved it,we did cooking at every opportunity.Science,changing materials-buns,Geography,world foods.RE,Easter biscuits,Christmas cakes in baked bean tins.We also did several wedding receptions.French,crepes.English,pumpkin soup as in the book of the same name.porridge The 3 bears.Maths weighing and measuring,counting,arrays,multiplicationThe list was endless,We did this for about 10 years with not one accident.I also entered a national cookery competition with one class of year 2s and we won beating off GCSE entrants.We were invited to London to an award ceremony with the minister of education and a celebrity chef.

Children now at university tell me fondly how they loved cooking with me when they were small.

I would say teach to use a board ,a small knife like you have and supervise.I used the bridge method to cut ,no fingers in the way.I am sure there must be demos on the internet.

Well done you,your son will thank you for teaching him to cook and you will reap the rewards when he can make you meals in a few years.

As an aside don't get me started at the amount of children who cannot use a knife and fork!

Imp

When I cook with my 3 year old, he uses a sharp kitchen knife to cut vegetables. He still has a full compliment of thumbs.

meritaten

Yes - my twin granddaughters are ten and I have been teaching them Veg prep and knife skills for the past year.
the knife is far safer if it is sharp - blunt knives can slip when slicing hard veg and can cause just as much damage to skin.
its brilliant that your son loves to cook. and as a career path its one of the few that can be learned without going to uni or college (although colleges do teach catering courses which are usually very much work based).

System

At the age of 10 yes as long as the child is supervised or at least theres someone in the same room.

They need to learn sometime. At the age of 10 my kids were helping me prepare the vegetables for dinner.

kingfisherblue

I run Brownies and have no problems teaching knife skills to my unit (age 7-10). I do, of course, explain that they should only use sharp knives with permission and under supervision. Knife skills are not just about cutting safely, but also storing, carrying (to the sink, for example), washing and drying them. Other safety skills, such as using graters and scissors safely, should be taught at the same time.

Savvy_Sue

Mine started with veg peelers and worked up from there. Our classic time was Christmas Eve: everyone round the table, chopping board and weapon of choice in front of you, huge pile of veg in the middle. Littlies peel, older ones top'n'tail, cut crosses in sprouts, cut into sensible sized pieces. I really miss that now we don't eat at home on Christmas Day.

One of my NCT friends taught her DD to make tea / use a kettle at the age of six. The rest of us thought that was a tad on the young side. But in my day we all learned to do it before we were 10, at Brownies!

notanewuser

My 4 year old uses sharp knives (under close supervision!) when cooking with me.

Mojisola

Mine had their own Swiss Army knives as birthday presents long before they were 10.

Don't wrap your kids in cotton wool - teach them how to handle potentially dangerous tools so that they can be independent.

meritaten

I think the key here is to 'TEACH' them how to use knives safely. as another poster pointed out - its not just cutting up food. how to wash them, put them away safely and not EVER walk around with a knife in your hand. I teach this - along with how to safely stir hot food in pans, how to dish up hot food safely, and to be aware of what is going on around you. and my grandkids started cooking with me around the age of two and half! there is always something they can do - and they love to 'help'.
the ten year olds are well on the way to being able to cook a Sunday Roast. they can prep the veg, they understand seasoning and timings of cooking. make gravy. the next stage is teaching them 'dishing up and presenting' the meal.
I think it makes them far more appreciative of the work that goes into cooking a meal and how enjoyable it still can be. and if they can cook a roast dinner and make cakes - then they have the basic knowledge to follow a recipe and do anything.