Introduction of how to handle a knife

Age
3-6

Materials

 * A knife.
 * A cutting board.
 * Things to cut: apple, carrot...etc.

Preparation
This is an individual presentation.

Presentation

 * 1) Directress shows the child how to carry the materials on a tray to the table, and shows the child how to hold the knife with the thumb, index and middle finger grasping the handle of the knife.
 * 2) Hold the knife upright with the sharp edges facing downwards along the cutting board.
 * 3) Hold things to be cut, for e.g. carrot in your left hand and bring the sharp edges of the knife down on the carrot.

Points Of Interest

 * 1) Show the child how to hold the knife: hold the handle close at the side of the body, facing downwards.
 * 2) Tell them the danger of not handling the knife properly; they could get hurt or they may hurt someone else; the cutting edges are very sharp and can hurt easily.
 * 3) Do not run while holding the knife.
 * 4) When passing the knife to somebody else, remember to hold the cutting blades and pointing the other end, i.e. the handle to the person that you are passing the knife to.
 * 5) Use a plastic knife initially. May use real knife later when the children get use to using a knife.

Purpose
Direct aims: 


 * To teach the child how to use a knife.

Indirect aims: 


 * To develop the child's fine motor control.
 * To develop the child's concentration.
 * To develop the child's independence.