Knife Skills for Children - Slicing

Today, I'm sharing some tips and tools to help you teach your children to become comfortable using a knife for slicing veggies in the kitchen. 

Photo Credit: Aidan Van Horn

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Start with a good cutting board.  I've tried a lot of different wooden and bamboo cutting boards, and this one is my favorite. It's sized well for general use, and it is still in great shape after many years in my busy kitchen. It requires very little maintenance and has a sturdy, solid feel to it that encourages confidence in new cooks. 

For smaller children, use a nylon knife that has a grip sized for children's hands.  We use Curious Chef nylon knives and they have held up well with years of use as our 7 children have passed them down to the each budding chef in our household. 

For older children, a sturdy 5-7 inch Santoku knife with a comfortable handle is a great tool for practicing knife skills. You'll be tempted to shy away from a sharp, "grown-up" knife, but a dull knife is much more dangerous and prone to slipping than a sharp one. Teach your kids to handle it properly, and they'll have success! Slicing should be easy and smooth, not a struggle.  

English Cucumbers are a perfect veggie for teaching children to slice.  The skin is thin, these cucumbers aren't perfectly round so they don't wiggle around the cutting board, and they are the perfect circumference for smaller hands to easily hold. 

Photo Credit: Aidan Van Horn

Have your children practice slicing the cucumber in 1/4 - 1/2 inch slices. And...then what?  What do you do with all those cucumber slices? You could toss them in a salad, or pickle them (click here for a refrigerator pickle recipe), or place them in a clear pitcher with ice and water for a simple, refreshing, elegant summer drink to go with your dinner!  Your kids will feel proud that they contributed something special to the meal! 

Photo Credit: Aidan Van Horn

 

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!