Little Helper: How to teach a child to safely use a kitchen knife

Of course, every parent I must independently decide at what age to teach kid's handling of such potentially dangerous items like kitchen knife. But there is a common age recommendations, which are suitable for every family.

Up to 4 years in the hands of a child can be given only a toy knife - plastic or wood. They kid can learn to cut, such as soft fruits - banana, peach, strawberries.

From 5 to 7 years - At this age, you can give your baby to use a table-knife or peeler. All actions must be strictly supervised by an adult and only if the child is really ready to accurately perform the necessary actions. If you know that a child because of the nature can suddenly start messing and playing with a knife - it is better not to give him any dangerous items and store them in an inaccessible location.

If your Six-Year ready to learn to use a knife, you can trust him with cooked vegetables and soft fruit. When he mastered these products, you can move on to fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs. It is not necessary to give the child to cut something too hard - as some types of cheese.

From 8 to 11 years the child can trust an ordinary kitchen knife, but only in the presence of adults. At this age, children can cut vegetables into a salad or soup.

After 12 years children can be allowed to use a kitchen knife for cutting of any products, but it is always advisable that adults were nearby. Warn children when sharpen knives to be particularly careful. Teach yourself to provide first aid for a cut finger.

How to teach a child to cope with a knife:

• Prepare a place for learning. Give the child support under the feet, so that he could comfortably sit near the kitchen surface.
• Prepare foods that the baby will be cut. Do not force it, and do not push, do not rush to correct, praise.
• When choosing products for training, start with the ones that have an average size - for example, a small banana. Large zucchini child at first it will be difficult to cut as small strawberries.
• First, teach kids to cut oblong products - bananas, cucumbers. Round tomatoes and apples cut harder, they need to go as far as training and narabatyvaniya practice.
• Always remember safety. Teach the child not only to properly hold a knife and stick to foods that he cuts, but also the right to transfer to others the knife, wash and put in place.
• Let the child use a knife training takes place on those products, which he then eats. So the baby will have more incentive to learn to do everything neatly and beautifully.
• In no case do not let a small child present, but a small knife. Also, do not give too blunted knife: if it is not prepared to cut products, the child can start to get nervous and as a result get hurt.

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