Pancake day is a great time to play and test out new skills.
But should children be allowed to flip pancakes?
The short answer is: yes!
There is, of course, a degree of risk involved in allowing a child to take an active role in making pancakes; the hazard of the hot stove, pan, and oil, which may all cause burns.
No one wants a child to come to harm, but how do we find a sensible balance?
As children grow, it is important to support them to develop skills to judge risks for themselves and make safe decisions. Research has shown that when children are given the freedom to take positive risks, they develop skills to assess and manage their own risk, as well as confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and lifelong coping strategies.
The Care Inspectorate promote a balanced approach which weighs up risk and benefits.
So, what are the benefits to a child from flipping a pancake?
• Confidence
• Fun
• Achievement
• Skill
• Understanding of consequence
• Self-reliance and independent
• Pancakes are tastier when you’ve flipped them yourself!
