Home » News » When can kids make their own breakfast? Here’s what the experts say
From Romper
By Lindsay E. Mack
The best developmental milestones your child reaches are the ones that give you the chance to sleep in a bit longer. With this in mind,when can kids make their own breakfast? Knowing your child can prep for the first meal of the day is such a relief.
With the caveat that every kid develops on their own timeline, there are some general ages to keep in mind for breakfast duties. “That range, in thinking about a developmental period where a child would typically be capable of being safely charged with the responsibility of organizing a healthy breakfast would be at, or about the age of 4,”Suanne Kowal-Connelly M.D., official spokesperson for theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), tells Romper. Of course, Dr. Kowal-Connelly adds that independent breakfasts for this age group would not involve the use of heat, sharp objects, or electricity. But with every passing year, their capabilities increase. “In general, around kindergarten (age 5 or 6), a child should be able to pour milk and cereal for themselves. A slightly older child (age 7 or 8) could likely make toast or waffles in a toaster after being supervised initially,”Reshmi Basu M.D., a CHOC pediatrician, tells Romper. When can you add some heat to the mix? “At 8-9 years old children can use the stove with supervision; if the parent does not feel comfortable with this they can work on other kitchen skills such as reading a recipe, measuring out ingredients and learning food safety,” Meredith McWilliams, a registered dietitian atArkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and a mother of four, explains to Romper. Again, these are generalities, and you’ll be a better judge of when your kid is ready to take on these breakfast duties.
There’s a ton of great breakfast choices for kids, too, even if your little one isn’t ready to work the stove or microwave just yet. “Healthy breakfast options will be well-balanced and include whole grains, protein and a fruit,” says Dr. Basu. “Whole grains can include oatmeal, toast or cereal. For proteinyou can give milk, yogurt, peanut butter, eggs or cheese. Smoothies are also a good option if breakfast needs to be eaten on the go, and they can pack in a lot of vitamins.” Bagels, English muffins, or toast topped with cream cheese or peanut butter and fresh fruit are also solid options, according to McWilliams.
How can you make sure your kid keeps up the breakfast habit if you aren’t the one serving it every day? First, explain the importance of breakfast on their terms. “I love to compare our bodies to machines that kids can relate to,” such as cars or tablets, says Dr. Kowal-Connelly. “Eating your healthy breakfast is your body’s way of getting fueled and/or charged for the day ahead.” Also, make it a family policy whenever possible. “Eating breakfast needs to be a part of the family’s value, with the parents/caregivers providing structure and boundaries for the meal and leading by example,” says McWilliams. What if your kid would rather trade breakfast time for a few extra minutes of sleep? “If time remains an obstacle, then try to prepare the night before, for example by making a smoothie or hard-boiling some eggs,” says Dr. Basu. With a little flexibility, you and your kids can make eating breakfast a habit that lasts.
Whenever your kid reaches the breakfast-making milestone, be proud of their accomplishments. Even some kid-made peanut butter toast is kind of a big deal. Reflect on this when you’re finally able to sleep in an extra few minutes while your kid preps breakfast solo.
FAQs
But with every passing year, their capabilities increase. “In general, around kindergarten (age 5 or 6), a child should be able to pour milk and cereal for themselves.
What age should kids start making their own lunches? ›
In fact, says Ellyn Satter, a leading expert on feeding children, around 10 or 11 years old is when kids naturally start developing good food management skills, which includes packing their own lunch. Before then, they just might not be ready.
What do experts say about students eating breakfast? ›
Better memory, attention & test scores
Research findings include: Kids who eat breakfast the morning before a standardized test have significantly higher scores in math, spelling and reading than those who don't. Breakfast eaters have better brain function, memory and attention.
When can kids cook by themselves? ›
Only when a child shows understanding and responsibility in the kitchen should they be able to cook alone. I know some eight-year-old who can be trusted to cook for themselves and some 18-year-old who cannot. It just depends on where your child is at developmentally and their level of responsibility.
What age can a child use a microwave? ›
Kids under the age of 7 should not use a microwave without supervision. Consider your child's height, too. Reaching up to get hot food out of a microwave can lead to spilled hot food. It's also important to be clear on the kinds of materials that can safely go into a microwave.
What age do kids start making their own food? ›
“At 8-9 years old children can use the stove with supervision; if the parent does not feel comfortable with this they can work on other kitchen skills such as reading a recipe, measuring out ingredients and learning food safety,” Meredith McWilliams, a registered dietitian at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock ...
At what age should a child start eating by themselves? ›
By the time children are 12 months old, they should be able to easily feed themselves with their fingers.
What happens if kids don't eat breakfast? ›
Their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don't eat something for breakfast. Breakfast may help keep kids' weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body's metabolism, the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. And when the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories.
Do children who eat breakfast perform better in school? ›
Children who eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster and make fewer mistakes in math problems and to perform better on vocabulary tests than those who ate only a partial breakfast. They also show improved concentration, alertness, comprehension, memory and learning.
What do scientists say about breakfast? ›
Breakfast boosts brainpower
This is because your brain hasn't received the energy (glucose) it needs to get going. Studies suggest that not having breakfast affects your mental performance, including your attention, ability to concentrate and memory.
At 5 or 6 years old, many kids can start cooking things at the stove with careful supervision. Scrambled eggs are a classic dish to start with. Oatmeal is quick and easy and lends itself to fun toppings.
At what age should kids do their own dishes? ›
Ages 10-12:
Wash dishes – Washing the dishes lets your kids practice paying attention to detail. No one wants to eat from a dish with food residue on it, no matter how small.
What age should you start cooking your own food? ›
8- to 11-Year-Old Cooks
Kids at this age can follow simple, straightforward recipes, plan menus and meals, and begin to work with the stove or oven. Use this time to teach them about the dangers of equipment and utensils.
What age should a child use the stove? ›
With an adult supervising, a lot of kids start using the oven and stove at around age 12. By the time they are 14, most kids can use both the oven or stove on their own. But you need to have a parent's permission first. And it helps to know some general kitchen safety rules.
Is my 30 year old microwave safe? ›
If you take good care of your microwave up into its old age, there's a low risk of harm, but if it's damaged in any way you may want to get it checked out. If you've looked after it well, there's no reason why a vintage microwave should be dangerous.
At what age can a child use a sharp knife? ›
Children ages 6-10 can graduate to a smaller knife with a sharp edge, such as a small santoku with a sheath.
When should kids start serving themselves? ›
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that parents let kids as young as 2 years old serve themselves at home. And in 2011, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advised that child care providers should serve meals "family-style" — present kids with a few different dishes and allow them to take what they want.
Should kids learn to cook their own food? ›
Teaching children to cook not only educates them about nutrition, it also teaches them to make smarter food choices and take greater care in planning their meals.
