Children cooking with their moms develop valuable life skills, such as increased language development, enhanced motor skills, math ability, reading skills, focus, attention, and introduction of scientific concepts. But can a child use a stove?
Kids love to help their moms in the kitchen. It is one of the best ways to keep the family together and increase bonds with your children. From pouring milk, making cereals, boiling eggs, using a pizza cutter and food processor bowl to skewering food, slicing bread, and proofing yeast, your child, can do various tasks in the kitchen.
Many moms ask an important question: “When can my child use a stove?” Your child can use a stove when he or she reaches the age of 10 to 11. Children between 10 and above can work independently in the kitchen. Before letting your child carry out a grown-up task like using the stove on his or her own, make sure you provide them with enough guidance and maintain close supervision.
The purpose is to figure out whether your kid follows the basic rules of handling pans, using a chef’s knife, and plugging or unplugging electrical appliances. After your child passes these tests, allow him or her to use the stove. For example, let him cook eggs on the stove under your supervision. Read on!
Safety Rules of Children using a Stove
Children’s safety is the primary concern for many parents when it comes to using a stove in the kitchen. Your kid can start using the stove or oven at the age of 10 or 12 under your supervision. Don’t allow your child to use the stove on his own until he learns about it.
Day-to-day practice under your guidance will enable your child to use a stove within a few weeks. Teach your child to ask for permission every time he or she uses the stove to cook something.
If your child is a kitchen enthusiast and loves cooking, teach him kitchen safety rules. As a parent, you can instruct your child on how to operate the stove properly. There are two types of stoves, gas-fueled and electric stoves, and each comes with its own pros and cons. Anyway, teach your kid the following safety rules.
- Teach your child to maintain a safe distance from the stove and watch the cooking process carefully
- Instruct your child to avoid keeping things like towels, mitts, wooden utensils near the stove as these materials can catch fire.
- Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove
- Do not allow your child to use the stove while wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
- Always wear tightly rolled sleeves or close-fitting clothes when cooking on the stove
Child use a stove, Final Words
By the age of 10, your child can enjoy learning how to make simple dishes like an omelet, pasta, French fries, etc. Not operating the stove safely can lead to fire hazards and risk your family health. Make sure your child learns how to use the stove within a few weeks under your supervision. Once learned, your child can safely operate the stove to his or her favorite food. Good Luck!