Wow! That’s impressive. Thanks for sharing your daughter’s experience, Leslie!

Montessori schools (AMI) have been teaching children practical life skills in preschool for many decades. My four-year-old daughter knows how to prepare apples, carrots, bananas, and pickles carefully and with appropriate tools, including an apple-slicer, a peeler, and a small knife. She also knows how to sew on a button securely and how to mop or sweep up a spill. With the proper presentation, practice, and supervision, young children can integrate these skills and build confidence about their role in the family.

I also agree with Nicole, that helping children to learn safety skills at a young age and keeping what is absolutely “off-limits” to a minimum discourages the lure to explore the forbidden on the sly.

I agree that knives should be kept out of reach and that young kids should use knives under adult supervision.