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Do/Would you allow your 10 year old to use knives?
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I still have a teeny tiny semi circular scar on my left thumb from chopping glace cherries for my mum as a 7 year old. Completely my fault...I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, too busy chatting and the inevitable happened!! A very visual demonstration of what sharp knife can do. I've never forgotten it...live and learn.SPC7 ~ Member#390 ~ £432.45 declared :j
Re-joined SW 9 Feb 2015 1 stone lost so far
Her Serene Highness the Princess Atolaas of the Alphabetty Thread as appointed by Queen Upsidedown Bear0 -
kingfisherblue wrote: »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.
I remember being taught how to lay and light a fire (in a proper fireplace) at Brownies, when I was 7 (1950)
. We also learned how to make a pot of tea (with proper leaf tea - a spoonful for each person and one for the pot), lay a tea tray for 4 and serve it - also before I was 8 :rotfl: 0 -
My husband is a head chef, so ours have been using them from the year dot.
Echo what other posters have said- teach the correct technique. When you watch my OH chopping superfast, chatting and not looking it looks dangerous. However, if you chop the correct way it is virtually impossible to cut yourself.
Again, agree with the points about it being a sharp knife. He always says that a clean sharp cut will heal better than a tear with a blunt knife. Sharp knives are also less likely to slip.
Our 8 year old cooks tea, just needs help draining the pasta water.
It is a brilliant life skill to teach them.0 -
Some of this might be useful to revamp knife skills before working with your son
http://www.jamieoliver.com/videos/jamie-oliver-on-knife-skills-30-minute-meals/
As long as your son has reasonable co-ordination, and is supervised, taught how to use knives, I don't see a problem.0 -
I remember being taught how to lay and light a fire (in a proper fireplace) at Brownies, when I was 7 (1950). We also learned how to make a pot of tea (with proper leaf tea - a spoonful for each person and one for the pot), lay a tea tray for 4 and serve it - also before I was 8 :rotfl:
I remember learning to build a bonfire in the brownies. We were making soup and I was a bit of a dreamy child and grabbed the saucepan handle whilst my mind was on other things. I burnt the tips of a couple of fingers and brown owl just said, "you won't do that again!". And I didn't! These days she would probably have to fill in an incident report in triplicate!
deannatrois - I used to have that Jamie Oliver video on my phone if ever I needed to refresh my skills. It's one of the clearest demos I have seen.0 -
I went on a wood carving course when I was 10. Nearly sliced the tip of a finger off, but it taught me to be more respectful of knives. I love that you're teaching your child to cook - I wish I'd been taught at such a young age. Well done and keep up the good work.0
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At the primary school where I'm a governor, we had a child fall from a tree. Broke her arm.
Some parents wanted tree climbing banned.
I'm pleased to say that we did a health and safety review and decided that it was in the overall best interests of the children to allow them still to climb trees.
I can't abide children being wrapped in cotton wool for ever. There is a danger that they are treated as children right up until the point where they are suddenly an adult. Better that we gradually help them to make their own risk assessments and explore the world a bit more.0 -
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I agree.Absolutely. Sharp knives too so that he knows to be VERY VERY careful with them. With a blunt knife he will have to push harder and could, potentially cause more damage to himself.
Blunt knives can slip on what you are cooking (e.g. onions) and you stand more chance of cutting yourself with a blunt knife than being extra careful with a sharp knife.
I would never use a paring knife for chopping vegetables.
As long as you teach your son to use knives properly and to respect the fact that they can cause damage, I think it's fine.
I hope he enjoys cooking, he'll make somebody a great husband in a few years time. 0 -
Thanks everyone. I am so pleased that other people can see that i am not neglecting to take care of my son just because i allow him to use knives. I think some people would chop up their childrens food for them until they leave home
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