Why I Let My Toddler Use a Knife

As a parent, “caution” is my middle name.

I am concerned about my children’s safety and do what I can to keep them out of harm’s way. That being said, I also believe that children should be exposed to certain experiences in order to keep them safe.

That’s why I introduced kitchen knives to my children at an early age.

Yep, I’m talking about giving knives to toddlers.

I want my kids to know which end of the knife is sharp and which end is safe to hold. I want them to learn where to place their fingers while cutting food. Now that they’ve had an introduction to knives, I am confident that if I accidentally left a knife on the counter, my children would know to avoid it or put it in a safe place.

Do I give my children free reign of the knives? Of course not.

Is my toddler chopping carrots? No. They are always supervised and their use is age-appropriate.

But this is not really about knives.

As parents – especially cautious parents – we tend to overprotect our children from potentially dangerous or scary things.

We do this out of love and a desire to keep our children safe.

Unfortunately, when our fear takes over, we tend to say things like, “NO! Don’t touch the knives!”

For some children, things that are described as “off limits” seem enticing. Curious children may be more inclined to climb on the counter just to see what all the fuss is about. The more we try to protect them, the more they desire to engage in the undesirable activity…just to see what all the fuss is about.

Other children feed off of their parents’ anxiety and begin to fear certain situations. Rather than experiencing them safely, they avoid them altogether.

Wrapping your kids in bubble wrap may sound like a good idea, but in the end, they miss out on valuable opportunities to learn, grow and become more independent.

Being “cautious” can be a good thing.

It may mean that you take time to prepare your children, giving them guidance that will help them make a good decision. It may mean that you make sure your child is ready for the experience or situation, rather than sending them unprepared.

It is a difficult balance – the line between letting kids explore and keeping them protected.

And every child is different. Just because your child’s friend is able to ride their bike to the store without a parent doesn’t mean that your child is ready.

Thankfully, there is a way to find a middle ground. The first step is thinking through the situation.

Examine Your “Caution”

Here are some questions to explore as you decide how to keep your child safe. These questions may apply to anything from letting your child use a knife to allowing your pre-teen to stay home alone for an extended amount of time.

1. What life skill do I want my child to learn?
2. What are the potential risks/safety concerns?
3. What is my biggest fear?
4. What is the possibility of my biggest fear actually happening?
5. What research do I need to make an informed decision?
6. What information does my child need to know?
7. What is the best way to teach my child this skill?
8. How do other parents handle this?
9. What rules or expectations need to be set in advance?
10. What are the consequences for breaking the rule?
11. Can my child repeat the rules and consequences back to me?
12. Can my child demonstrate this skill safely?
13. What additional skills does my child need in order to do this safely?

Not every situation has a clear-cut answer. However, there may be times when you feel like being overprotective, but after thinking through the situation you realize that your child may be safer with some training and boundaries.

Of course, use common sense.

This is not to suggest that you stop being cautious and put your child in a dangerous situation.

Kids should not have access to dangerous materials, toddlers should not be allowed to wander unsupervised through the neighborhood.

But do consider exploring your caution.

You may find that your children are capable of much more than you thought!

*Even though this was not really about knives…here is a link describing how to teach your child kitchen safety and knife skills.