Parents, you’ve likely found yourself in the position of teaching your kids life skills that you’ve been doing for years without a second thought. One such skill is learning how to use a kettle. It may seem simple, but it’s a crucial step towards independence for your child. Based on our interactive Goal Mine class, this guide will break down the process into manageable steps for your child to follow. We also encourage you to let your kids watch the accompanying video to learn how to do this skill independently.
Table of Contents
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. Plug the Kettle | Teach your child to plug the kettle into an electrical outlet with dry hands. Supervise this step until you’re confident your child can do it safely. |
| 2. Fill the Kettle | Instruct your child to fill the kettle with cold water from the tap, up to the marked line or a bit below. Emphasize the importance of not overfilling the kettle and never turning on an empty kettle. |
| 3. Turn it On | Show your child how to turn on the kettle and stay nearby while the water is heating. Teach them to wait for the boiling to stop before carefully pouring the water and to always use oven mitts or a thick towel when handling the hot kettle. |
Step 1: Plug the Kettle
Firstly, teaching your kids the basics of electricity and safety is essential. Explain that the kettle needs power to heat the water by plugging it into an electrical outlet. However, stress the importance of dry hands when plugging the kettle to avoid electrical shocks. It’s also a good idea to supervise this step until you’re confident your child can do it safely.
Read more: Activities of Daily Living
Step 2: Fill the Kettle
Next, your child must fill the kettle with water. Teach them to use cold water from the tap, filling the kettle to the marked line or below. This is a great opportunity to discuss the importance of not overfilling the kettle, as boiling water can splash out and cause burns. Also, ensure they understand to never turn on an empty kettle as it can damage the appliance or even cause a fire.
Read more: How to Heat Up Food in the Microwave
Step 3: Turn it On
Once the kettle is filled and plugged in, it’s time to turn it on. Show your child how to flip the switch or press the button to start the heating process. Emphasize that they should stay nearby while the water is heating but not touch the kettle as it gets very hot. When the kettle automatically switches off, or the water has reached boiling point, they should wait a few moments before the boiling stops before carefully pouring the water.
It’s crucial to remind your child that they should never leave a kettle unattended while it’s on. Fires can start quickly, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Also, remind them to always use oven mitts or a thick towel when handling the hot kettle to prevent burns.
Goally | 100+ Streaming Video Classes
Does your child need some extra guidance on building essential life skills? Goally’s skill building tablet for kids includes a TV app that has the most robust video library of skills training videos for kids. Ranging from content like “How to Brush Your Teeth” to “How to Make Friends at School,” we have dozens of interactive video lessons for kids with thinking and learning differences.
HERE’s a video explaining how to works.
Teaching Kids How to Use a Kettle Safely
Teaching your kids how to use a kettle safely is more than just a lesson in making a hot drink. It’s a lesson in responsibility, safety, and independence. It’s about teaching them to respect the potential dangers in everyday items and how to navigate these safely. Most importantly, it gives them the confidence to take on new tasks and succeed.
Read more: Top 3 Daily Chores for Kids | List for Parents
While this guide covers the basics, our Goal Mine class offers a more interactive and engaging way for your kids to learn this skill. The video class breaks down each step, provides a model to follow, and offers interactive practice and feedback. And remember, practice makes perfect. So, please encourage your child to make a hot drink for you or help with cooking to reinforce these steps and build their confidence.
In Short…
Learning how to use a kettle is a significant step for your child towards becoming more independent. It’s a simple task, but it requires understanding and respecting safety rules. By following this guide and watching our Goal Mine class, your child will be well on their way to mastering this life skill. But don’t stop here. Unlock the rest of our video lessons with Goally’s dedicated Tablet and continue this journey towards independence with your child.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
