Too young?

Do you think a 8.5 year old is too young to make toast? Odd question I know but Hannah makes her own and this morning she popped it down twice and of course it came out very burnt and pretty much filled the house with smoke!

At what age do you think is ok to start cooking for themselves?

All my lot make toast. DD3 is only 4 but she has just started to make toast under supervision but she loves being independent!!

Do you let your older ones make more and what kind of things? Hannah loves to do her own things.

well dd1 has been learning cook since she was about 6 and by 9 could make macaroni cheese. She now cooks at least once a week, sometimes 3 and will do lasagne, beef stew, etc all fromm scratch. When i cook i usually have at least one of them-there are 5- acting as sous chef, washing vegetables, fetching ingredients or stirring. I personally think they can't be too young too get involved and if you don't teach them how will they learn.
I must say DS is now 9 and I feel we have not kept it up with him and he is not as good in the kitchen as his sister at that age. But he is willing and has been asking more and more recently so i will really make an effort with him.
I love cooking with the kids, its great fun, if not a bit hectic at times, and i think really important. When i left home i couldnt boil and egg!

I really should get them more in the kitchen but it usually ends in an argument over who's doing what. I might start up a roster and get them one at a time in the kitchen. I just worry about them hurting themselves I guess. Last time Hannah wanted to help with the pikelets she gave herself a nasty burn on the arm from resting it on the side of the fry pan

Kieran is my helper, he makes me a cuppa when the get in from school and they can both make toasy etc for breakfast, anna isn't so willing to help as she is lazy. When they help it often leads to an argument, something being spilt, slipped etc lol

Ds1 is 7 and makes toast. Dd1 is 13 and can make omlette etc. I'm not that good at getting them helping me with other cooking though. I do need to make more effort.

DD is 2 and always wants to help! She does things like get the veg out, lay the table, put the veg in the pan, stirring things etc. I imagine by 8 she'll be cooking the whole dinner lol!

Amy is 8 and loves cooking and helping in the kitchen. She makes her own toast and sandwiches and helps with most meals. She's not allowed to touch the oven or stove including anything on it other than maybe the spoon inside a saucepan to stir the contents (but only under supervision of course). Katie and Ryan are only interested in making cakes and biscuits atm (well mainly on eating the raw mix or licking out the bowl )