What's the right age for a child to start using a knife at the dinner table?

Answer 1

Whenever you can trust them to cut only food and not anything else. My son is 5 and would cut the table and everything other than his food, so he doesn't get a knife. However, he does have a plastic "knife" that he uses for playdough only.

Answer 2

I think at about age 5 when they are in school and learning to use scissors, that they are able to learn to use a blunt (butter) knife to cut soft food items like hot dogs and tender meat and vegetables. Once they learn to be responsible and to place it down on the table or side of their plate and get comfortable with using it combination with their fork to cut with, that they can slowly be transitioned at between 6 -7 to using a serated steak knife for cutting tougher meats with supervision! At least this is what I've followed with my daughters and it's worked out well!

Answer 3

depends on the child. but i would say just a butter knife 9 yrs.old.
to use a steak knife 12 or 13

Answer 4

Depends on the child really. I have just started letting my son use a knife and cut his own meat and he is 11.

Answer 5

I would have to say 11 or 12, at that age they should be responsible enough to use a knife to cut their food, because they are pre-teens.

Answer 6

as a mom, i would say age 4-5 as they do not have their fine motor skills till then and before that time. and only a butter knife.too many risks for injury. i cut my children and grandchildrens meats for them before serving it (Steak,chicken etc) till aged 8. just me. if you can prevent injury do it. however they do need to develope the skills of how to properly hold and use eating utensils. i would say butter knife till age 8.it is easier to prevent injury than cure it.a butter knife does have serated edges at the tip and is a safer way for them to develop the skill of using a knife so that when they do get older they can use a knife safely.

Answer 7

I started using a knige when I was at least 7 years old. I think it depends from the child. Hmmm, I think the right age is 10 years old. I'm not so certain but I think it will use it correctly, Kisses to your child!!!!!! (^_^)

Answer 8

my daughters 3 and has a plastic knife that she can use to help make PB & J sandwiches and to "cut" her food. I found for a lot of things giving her a little pizza cutter to cut with is easier. Either way she is supervised when useing them

Answer 9

Wait till after puberty, do not trust a teenager with roaring hormones near a sharp knife.

Answer 10

every child is different. i wasnt allowed to even use a butter knife till i was 10 and a sharper knife till i was 14. my mom was verty protective of me. i used to have terrets(sp?) so i had involuntary arm twitches. i outgrew the terrets. i feel very lucky that i did not alot of children outgrow it.