https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:39:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911773 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 22:17:58 +0000 HLK208 911773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS at 4 has done everything except light a match/candle and research online.</p> <p>Light a birthday candle (strike a match and light it): 6<br /> Slice a banana: 4<br /> Put on their own shoes: 2.5<br /> Crack an egg (minimal shell going in): 4-5<br /> Make a basic lunch (from set up to clean up with minimal reminders, no stove/oven): 3<br /> Order food at a counter service type place and pay (fast food, Panera etc.): 4<br /> Go online and research a topic without adult help: 8<br /> Drink out of an open glass: 1-2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911747 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 22:00:47 +0000 googly-eyes 911747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just going by ECE, not parenting experience (lo is too young.)...Also I'm going on when they'd be ABLE to, with supervision, or maybe verbal cues, not when I think it'd be routine. </p> <p>Light a birthday candle (strike a match and light it)- 4-5<br /> Slice a banana- 2-3<br /> Put on their own shoes-2-3..maybe later depending on the type of shoe<br /> Crack an egg (minimal shell going in)- haha, I couldn't do this til I was probably a preteen!! But with practice, maybe 5-7 depending on the child.<br /> Make a basic lunch (from set up to clean up with minimal reminders, no stove/oven)-<br /> Order food at a counter service type place and pay (fast food, Panera etc.)<br /> Go online and research a topic without adult help- these days, maybe at 7-9 they could do basic things with parental limits on sites. just going by what I've seen kids do...depending on reading comprehension probably.<br /> Drink out of an open glass- ? 2? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911691 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:24:43 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 911691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: The other day, M picked up the keys and brought them to the door to try and lock/unlock it. She grabbed my bag, slung it over her shoulder and said "bye bye".</p> <p>Geez, she's clearly and observer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911671 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:15:13 +0000 lemondrop 911671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am amazed at the things my 18 month old picks up- he knows which mailbox is ours, he can hand over a credit card and put it back in my wallet, he is just a little sponge soaking everything up. That said, I think some of it depends on the environment, I think a Montessori environment contributes greatly to some of these skills! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911662 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:06:04 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 911662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Slice a banana: My 3 year old does this<br /> Put on their own shoes: My older daughter started doing this at 2.<br /> Crack an egg (minimal shell going in): We've had some fairly successful attempts at this!<br /> Drink out of an open glass: Both my girls do this, 16 months and 3 yo.</p> <p>We're big into practical life skills, though being a Montessori family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911628 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:50:31 +0000 hilsy85 911628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm these are just guesses/my opinion!</p> <p>light a candle: maybe 5? With adult supervision obviously.<br /> slice a banana: as soon as they have the motor skills to do so--maybe 2 or 3? again with adults nearby<br /> put on shoes: maybe 2? 2.5? No idea when kids figure out how to do this, lol<br /> crack an egg: I have trouble with this sometimes! Maybe 7?<br /> make lunch: Like a sandwich, I think at age 4<br /> order food: 4; pay...maybe if it was the exact amount, same age. Otherwise (if they have to cme up with the amount), maybe 6 or 7?<br /> research online: 7?<br /> open cup: without help? maybe 1.5? 2? I think it could be messy, but that a kid would be very capable at that age. </p> <p>I also totally agree with your perspective...I will try to be mindful of letting LO figure things out on his own and be independent, even if it's messier/takes longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-should-a-child-be-able-to#post-911460 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:40:11 +0000 Cole 911460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am curious, what age do you think a child should be able to do these things:</p> <p>Light a birthday candle (strike a match and light it)<br /> Slice a banana<br /> Put on their own shoes<br /> Crack an egg (minimal shell going in)<br /> Make a basic lunch (from set up to clean up with minimal reminders, no stove/oven)<br /> Order food at a counter service type place and pay (fast food, Panera etc.)<br /> Go online and research a topic without adult help<br /> Drink out of an open glass</p> <p>I have been thinking a lot recently about our views of the abilities of children as a society. So often, I think we fail to notice how capable kids can be and accidentally hold them back. Part of it is due to lack of time-- teaching a new skill and then giving the time to practice, and often make a mess while they are doing so is incredibly time consuming. I find myself offering to "help" kids do some tasks that they could probably figure out but might be messy or take a long time and I am striving to let them figure it out. Do you find yourself in the same boat? </p>