This Design and technology video introduces the tearing and snipping skills that children should learn throughout primary school. It explores how these techniques help develop fine motor skills, introduce safe food preparation methods, and minimise the risks of using knives for small, delicate foods.

The video demonstrates how tearing and snipping skills progress across key stages. Reception-age children begin by tearing fresh herbs like basil, learning to remove leaves gently without bruising them. In Key Stage 1, pupils refine their fine motor skills by snipping herbs and spring onions with scissors, reinforcing safe handling techniques. By Key Stage 2, they apply these skills to more complex tasks, such as shredding lettuce, focusing on precision and consistency in their cuts.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Cooking and Nutrition resources. It ensures teachers feel confident and prepared to support pupils in developing safe and effective tearing and snipping skills in the units below.

• Design and technology, Year 2, Cooking and nutrition: Balanced diet
• Design and technology, Year 3, Cooking and nutrition: Eating seasonally
• Design and technology, Year 5, Cooking and nutrition: Developing a recipe
• Design and technology, Year 6, Cooking and nutrition: Come dine with me
• Design and technology scheme of work