Have you ever had this experience? You walk into the kitchen one morning to find your child wearing an apron, proudly standing next to a mountain of cereal, an ocean of milk on the floor, and a toaster that has miraculously ejected a slice of bread onto the top of the fridge. They look at you slightly embarrassed and say, "Breakfast is served."
Morning madness is a common experience for parents with school-age kids. Every day can be a struggle to make sure everyone is up, dressed, fed, and out the door on time. Teaching children to make their own breakfast can be a game-changer in your daily routine. Not only does it take one task off your plate, but it also promotes independence and responsibility in your child. One study also found that children who are involved in preparing meals are more likely to make healthier food choices and have a more positive attitude towards food.
In this article, we will talk about how you can teach your child this valuable life skill especially if they struggle with executive dysfunction.
How to Teach Your Child to Make Breakfast
Depending on your child’s baseline kitchen skills, executive functioning, and interests, below are some tips to help your child learn how to make breakfast.
Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks and Ensure Kitchen Safety
Start with simple tasks and gradually increase complexity as your child's skills improve.
Young children 3-5 years:
Pouring cereal
Spreading butter or jam
Mixing fruits an other add-ins in pancake batter
Children 6-8 years:
Cutting soft foods with a child-safe knife
Using the toaster under supervision
Making microwaveable meals
Older children 9 years and up:
Making simple smoothies and recipes requiring the use of electric tools
Scrambled eggs, pancakes, and recipes requiring heat
Three to five-step recipes
Teens
Making a complete breakfast like pancakes and fruit or an omelet.
Consider Executive Function Skills
If your child struggles with working memory or focus, use visual cues to help them sequence through the steps of the recipe or remind them when to turn off appliances. For younger children, use picture-based recipe cards that show the required ingredients, and materials, and a step-by-step guide can help children follow the process independently and develop their cooking skills.
Teach them how to use a kitchen timer to monitor cooking times especially if they struggle with time blindness. If they have difficulty with planning and organization, provide some support by setting up the kitchen counter with the necessary materials the night before.
Remember, if they grow to love cooking, they will get better at it.
Prioritize Safety
Discuss kitchen safety rules, such as proper knife handling, stove use, and the importance of adult supervision for certain tasks. Invest in plastic or silicone cookware instead of glass, child-safe knives, and cut-resistant gloves. Make it a habit to put away sharp objects after use.
Make Items Accessible
Arrange the kitchen so that necessary ingredients and tools are within reach. Consider using a step stool for tall countertops, overhead microwave, and cupboards.
Teach Clean-Up Skills
Demonstrate how to handle spills effectively. Make clean-up a natural part of the cooking process. Otherwise, you are going to have to deal with the mess which could be a lot more work than just making the food yourself!
Don’t Do It For Them
Resist the urge to take over. Allow your child to complete tasks independently, even if it takes longer or isn't perfect. If you find that they are not ready to handle using the stove, step in. If you feel they are close to causing a fire, definitely intervene. However, if you are not giving them the opportunity to try to learn and make messy mistakes, it will take them much longer to gain this skill.
Practical Tips for Success
Practice on weekends when there's less time pressure.
Celebrate successes and treat mistakes as learning opportunities. Did they make the oatmeal too salty? Accidentally poured coffee creamer on their cereal? Learn to laugh about it and make light of the situation!
Gradually introduce new skills and recipes to keep your child engaged and learning. Use this time as an opportunity to bond rather than treating it like a strict boot camp.
Teaching your child to make their own breakfast is a valuable investment in their independence and life skills. It may require patience and result in a few messes along the way, but the long-term benefits are worth it. Remember to tailor the process to your child's abilities and interests, and don't hesitate to seek additional support if needed.
Consider consulting an executive function coach. They can provide strategies tailored to your child's specific needs to support not only learning how to make breakfast but also building other healthy habits!
