This Design and technology scheme of work video introduces the tearing and snipping skills that the children should develop throughout primary school. It explains how these techniques support fine motor development, promote safe food preparation and reduce the need for knives when working with small, delicate foods.

This teacher video shows the progression of tearing and snipping across the key stages. In Reception, the children begin by tearing herbs such as basil, learning to remove leaves gently. In Key stage 1, they snip herbs and spring onions using scissors. By Key stage 2, the children use these skills to shred ingredients like lettuce with accuracy and control.

This video is part of our 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 lessons and units below.

• Design and technology, Key stage 1, *New* Cooking and nutrition: Balanced diet, Lesson 3: Preparing ingredients.
• Design and technology, Key stage 1, *New* Cooking and nutrition: Balanced diet, Lesson 6: Creating and evaluating wraps.
• Design and technology, Year 3, *New* Cooking and nutrition: Eating seasonally, Lesson 6: Evaluating seasonal tarts.
• Design and technology, Year 5, *New* Cooking and nutrition: Developing a recipe, Lesson 4: Preparing ingredients.
• Design and technology, Year 6, *New* Cooking and nutrition: Come dine with me, Lesson 3: Ingredients and skills (optional).