Peeling Vegetables with a Peeler

Peeling vegetables teaches safe tool use and prepares children to participate in real cooking.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Practical Life
• Learning area: Food Preparation
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Learn peeler use
• Develop bilateral coordination
• Build cooking skills

Materials

• Vegetable peeler
• Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, zucchini)
• Cutting board
• Compost bowl for peels

Instructions

1. Hold vegetable firmly in non-dominant hand. 2. Position over cutting board. 3. Hold peeler in dominant hand. 4. Press blade against vegetable. 5. Push away from body. 6. Rotate vegetable and repeat. 7. Check for remaining peel.

Educator tip

Always peel away from the body. Start with larger, easy-to-grip vegetables.

Assessment

Child peels vegetables safely and completely.

More from Practical Life

• Grating Cheese
• Squeezing Citrus
• Making a Simple Salad
• Making a Sandwich
• Mixing Batter
• Kneading Dough
• Rolling Dough
• Cracking Nuts