There are so many important things in a preschooler's life. They must learn their colors, their letters, numbers, and shapes. They learn other important aspects of life, all about firemen and policemen and trains and airplanes. They must also learn to use sharp knives. Yes, you heard me... Let's chop some veggies kids!!!!
I knew my son's preschool class was going to read Stone Soup. They were going to make their own stone soup. We were responsible for bringing in carrots. I peeled and washed and chopped my carrots before taking them to class. I figured it was the helpful thing to do. Help save the teacher time. She would have preferred me not to have prepped them for her. That was to be the students’ responsibility. What???? I was staying to help this particular afternoon and soon learned that I was helping with this project. Oh boy!
As I called each child for their turn I dutifully asked them which hand they used to write and explained what we were about to do. Each and every child told me that their mommy didn’t allow them to use knives. A couple were out and out refusing. The teacher blandly stated that it was part of their learning experience and they must participate. I exchanged a WTF look with the other mom in the classroom. Smart kids. Don’t touch the knives! My 10 year old has only recently been introduced to using more than a butter knife. While trying to come up with clever questions for the children, such as, “Do you like potatoes? Where do carrots grow? Do you like to eat peanut butter on your celery?” my fingers were in a life and death battle to remain intact. Once those kids had a rhythm down, to hell with my fingers. At one point I stepped out of the room to take a phone call. When I returned the other mom had taken over the onion cutting, her eyes were brimming with tears. Either the onions really got to her or her digits had just experienced a near death experience. When I picked up the middle child later I reminded him to never, ever try to use knives without help from mom or dad. One can only hope he will listen to me on this one.
Next week! They learn to make campfires! Yee haw! Bring on the matches!