Cut and chop in different ways

There are so many types of cuts. While the thought of giving kids a knife can be intimidating, investing in kid safe cutting tools can be worth building the confidence towards sharper knives.

Note - While we are introducing different cuts here, we will not be focusing on accuracy.

Parent Safety Tips:

  • Use a kid-safe knife for little ones or assist them with the cutting.

  • Keep the cutting board stable—place a damp towel underneath if it slides.

  • Do some initial cuts so that the chef has a flat surface and a manageable size to work with.

  • Start with a soft ingredient, like cheese, bell pepper or zucchini

  • Parents, show kids how to curl their fingers under (we call it claw hands) to keep them safe while they slice.

  • Stay close by for guidance and to celebrate their hard work!

Steps for the chef:

Julienne
  • Lay the ingredient flat on the cutting board, ready to slice

  • Holding the knife in one hand, make a claw on the other hand and hold the ingredient

  • Now press the knife and make a big slice all the way into it.

  • Rock the knife downwards till you get a long strips, like a matchstick

  • Repeat until you have enough pieces

  • Put away the knife carefully on the side

  • Transfer the strips into a bowl for use or snacking.

Steps for the chef:

Chop
  • Lay the ingredient flat on the cutting board, ready to slice

  • Holding the knife in one hand, make a claw on the other hand and hold the ingredient

  • Now press the knife and make a big slice all the way into it.

  • Rock the knife downwards till you get to the cutting board

  • Now cut the long pieces into smaller pieces

  • Put away the knife carefully on the side

  • Transfer the strips into a bowl for use or snacking.