Whether in the wilderness or chilling in your backyard, gathering around a fire pit with friends and family is a great experience. This time is when you create fond memories, exchange stories, enjoy food, and share laughter. Building a fire is a wonderful experience, and you can include your kids in this simple activity as long as you observe strict safety measures.
Kids should be at least 11 years old before they can start learning to build fires in a fire pit. Cognitive development in tweens typically involves logical thinking and deductive reasoning. Their transition into adult-style thinking could be a sound basis for entrusting them with weightier tasks.
* We make no guarantee of the safety of anyone, at any age making fires. There are simply too many variables. Take our advice and article at your own risk.
We will talk about why your 11-year-old might be ready for the first firesetting experience and how you can make sure that your child is indeed up for it mentally and physically. Then I will discuss why it is crucial to keep younger children away from fires and what you can do to drive home the point that fires are dangerous and thus require adult supervision at all times. Let’s get started!
Why Should Children Younger Than 11 Not Build a Fire in a Fire Pit?
Children under 11 should not build a fire pit because children under this age may understand how fire extends, but many lack the resources to respond effectively to emergencies. Despite being aware of fire management, children younger than 11 might be in danger in a fire emergency.
Several professionals collaborated on a book called Juvenile Firesetting: A Community Guide to Prevention and Intervention. This book explored the complex data of juvenile burning accidents around outdoor fires in America between 1975 and 2002.
Of the 121 fire-related fatalities, 90 of the victims were in the age group 1-5 years. Delving further into these alarming statistics, the authors collaborated with the local fire authorities in Rochester, New York, to propose preventative strategies to protect children from fires.
In this work, the authors proposed drawing the line at 11 years old, below which adult supervisors should prohibit children from ignition sources and any fire involvement. Contrary to what many parents believe, introducing children to the fire-making process actually increases the risks of unsupervised fire settings.
Why Tweens Can Start Being Around Fires
The tween years (10-13) are when kids go through significant physical, emotional, and mental changes. We all know about the roller coaster of emotions associated with raging hormones and bodily transformations. But what about cognitive development? What makes tweens no longer the seemingly unconcerned children they once were with devil-may-care attitudes?
Jean William Fritz Piaget, a Swiss psychologist famous for his theory on child development, suggests that children’s intelligence and cognitive abilities change as they grow. He highlights four stages of cognitive development in children. He notes that each child goes through these stages in the same order but not necessarily at the same rate.
Here are the fours stages of cognitive development according to Piaget (note that the age ranges mentioned aren’t precise facts but mere delineations of when the average child reaches the stages):
Sensorimotor Stage
“Sensorimotor” pertains to a child’s five senses and motor skills. This stage applies to newborn infants – 2-year-olds. This age is when babies learn about the world around them through their five senses — sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste — and by moving around and exploring their environment.
Preoperational Stage
The Preoperational Stage affects children 2-7 years of age. This age is when children start building their vocabulary and understanding the concept of symbolism. Children do not yet possess good problem-solving skills at this stage, and logical thought is still flawed. They tend to make subjective judgments and are still quite self-centered.
Concrete Operational Stage
This stage affecting children aged 7-11 involves the emergence of logical thought. The concept of conservation is also becoming clearer wherein children realize that even if something changes its appearance, it remains the same. This stage is when children begin working things out in their heads rather than just perceiving things on a purely physical or visual level.
Formal Operational Stage
This stage affecting children ages 12 years and up is the crucial time they transition from early childhood to adolescence. This stage is when they begin to grasp abstract ideas, can come up with sound solutions for hypothetical problems, and develop scientific thinking. This stage is also when they develop deductive reasoning or “top-down” logic, wherein children can come up with conclusions based on logical premises.
As you can see, it is only in the Formal Operational Stage that children can think logically and be capable of deductive reasoning. These two factors are among the most critical changes that tell us that a child is ready for more adult tasks and responsibilities. Only when they enter this stage can they be counted on to perform complex tasks that may otherwise seem too risky for younger children.
How To Tell if Your 11-Year-Old Is Ready for Adult Responsibilities Like Firesetting
As mentioned above, Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development do not present hard and fast rules regarding the age range depicted for each stage. They serve as a guide to identify more easily where your child might be and whether or not your child is at par with the average expectations for children. So how do you know if your 11-year-old can handle more serious tasks?
It might be easy to assume that your child is ready for a particular task by a certain age. However, children’s development and readiness for more challenging responsibilities differ. The next step should always begin with your child’s inclination, readiness, and eagerness.
Begin by asking yourself these questions:
- Has my child signified interest in firesetting?
- Is my child aware of the dangers and risks involved with fire?
- Is my child confident?
- Can my child stay calm in the middle of difficult situations and emergencies?
- Is my child good at following instructions?
- Does my child have good judgment?
- Does my child possess good problem-solving skills?
- Is my child analytical?
- Is my child a logical thinker?
These questions might give you a better perspective on where your child is in the stages of cognitive development. These might give you a clearer picture of whether or not your child is ready for the responsibilities of building fires in a fire pit.
So Your Child Is Ready for Firesetting. What’s Next?
So you’ve answered all the questions above. You’ve also talked to your child about the value of safety, especially in scenarios where something as volatile and unpredictable as fire is concerned. When you feel that your child is ready, explain these crucial things to consider before the first firesetting experience:
Not All Fire Pits Are Created Equal
Kids might think that all it takes to start a fire is to throw a few pieces of wood into the pit, light a match, and throw it in. You can’t blame them because this is what they read in books or see on TV. They aren’t wrong either because this straightforward procedure may work with some types of fire pits.
Inform your child that fire pits are built differently, especially in today’s modern world. There are various shapes and sizes. Some require wood, while others need propane gas or gel fuel to work.
If you’re using your fire pit for the first time, read the manual with your child before using it. If it isn’t a new fire pit, go over the manual with your child so they become more involved and aware of the situation. Remind your child to follow basic instructions so everyone will be safe while having fun.
Never Leave a Fire Unattended
Even if the fire is contained within the fire pit, it is best never to leave it unattended. Several factors may make the fire suddenly go out of control. A sudden gust of wind could make it spread beyond the pit. Someone’s clothing might get into contact with the flames and inadvertently start a fire in your backyard.
Remind your child always to help you keep an eye on the fire. Someone should always be within a few meters of the fire pit so that the person can act swiftly in case of an untoward scenario. Tell your child that they are in charge of the younger kids, so they have the authority to keep them away from the fire pit for their safety.
Keep Flammable Materials Away
Clothes can quickly burn once they get into contact with flames. Make sure clothing doesn’t contact the fire pit, especially if you’re wearing cotton, silk, or linen. Surprisingly, wool burns more slowly than most other fabrics because of its tighter weave.
Remind your child to avoid wearing billowy clothes near the fire pit. It would be best to avoid loose dresses and skirts since the wind can easily blow them in different directions.
Jackets or windbreakers, typically made of nylon or polyester, should be taken off when approaching the fire pit since these fabrics melt and stick to the skin when they catch fire. They can cause deep burns that go into various layers of the skin.
Here are some items you should keep handy in case of an emergency:
- First aid kit. This item is your go-to supply kit in case someone gets hurt. You should keep your first aid kit in a place within proximity to your fire pit and backyard. Make sure you have aloe vera gel or calamine lotion in there to provide relief for minor burns.
- Fire extinguisher. This item is your go-to solution to a fire that has gone wild. A fire extinguisher can put out a fire within seconds.
- Garden hose. Water is reliable as well in putting out fires. Make sure the pressure coming out of your garden hose is strong. Avoid squirting a steady stream of water onto the fire since this can make flames leap. Use your hose’s shower or spray feature instead.
- Water bucket. You can also pour water onto the fire. Avoid dumping all the water in one go to avoid leaping flames.
- Sand or dirt and a shovel. Shoveling sand or dirt onto the fire is an excellent alternative if water and a fire extinguisher are unavailable. This option is ideal if you’ve built a fire pit out in the wild.
Be Careful With Sharp Sticks
Roasting S’mores and marshmallows are probably on every kid’s schedule as soon as they hear the words “campfire” or “fire pit.” It’s one of the most fun and yummy things to do and is almost always among the top reasons families invest in fire pits. However, those sharp sticks used to skewer hotdogs and S’mores are dangerous.
Help your child realize the dangers of being too carefree while holding these sharp sticks. Tell them not to wave these around as they can easily poke someone’s eye. Advise your child to avoid walking or running while eating hotdogs and S’mores because they could trip and hurt themselves with the stick.
While at it, please remind your child never to stick their hands into the fire. This response may be their natural reaction if a hotdog or marshmallow accidentally falls in. Establish a strict rule that whatever falls into the fire stays there. Also, remind them never to throw something into the fire since a random object may make the flame jump.
Mark a Safe Zone Around the Fire Pit
Ask your child to help delineate a 3-foot safe zone around the fire pit. You can mark the boundary with rocks or colorful pebbles. There should be no playing, running, or horseplay in this zone. It should also be clear of toys, trash, or anything that might cause someone to trip. Young children must never be allowed to approach.
Ways To Prepare Your Child for the First Firesetting Experience
At this stage, your child should be able to effortlessly perform complex tasks such as making sandwiches, sewing on a button, or building fires in a fire pit. Your kid should also understand the importance of abiding by safety rules.
Here are some simple tasks you can ask your child to do in preparation for the first firesetting experience:
Add Firewood to an Active Fire
Make sure you show your child how to do this potentially dangerous task before allowing them to do it independently. Explain to them the importance of being precise with their movements. Allowing them to do this will undoubtedly boost their confidence and convey that you trust them.
Put Out the Fire at the End of the Day
Give your kid the responsibility of extinguishing the fire at the end of the day. Again, show them exactly how to do it and explain the safety rules they should obey. Your child must learn how to safely start and extinguish a fire to build their confidence in controlling and enjoying it. Remember that you should always closely supervise children when dealing with fire.
Light a Matchstick
What better way to get up close to a flame than with the help of an old-fashioned matchbox? Supervise your kid in lighting up a matchstick. This process would be a great teaching moment where your child learns how and why a fire starts, their behavior when exposed to different stimuli (show how the wind can sway the flame), and how to put it out safely.
Is It Safe To Expose Children to Firesetting at an Early Age?
It’s not safe to expose young children to firesetting. The 3-foot safe zone around the fire pit must strictly prohibit them from approaching. Young children do not yet possess the cognitive abilities to keep themselves and everyone else safe from fire dangers.
Some people surmise that exposing young children to the concept of fire will make them more comfortable around it, thus effectively getting rid of any fear they might have.
A backyard barbecue with people gathered around a fire pit might be a good place to start since it is a wholesome family activity where everyone is happy and relaxed. This attitude is a pretty dangerous mindset for the following reasons:
- A child should get too comfortable around any open fire.
- Yes, a fire should not be feared but should be respected.
- Young children must first learn and understand the concept of fire and the consequences of not being able to manage a fire properly.
- Early exposure to fire encourages children to engage in firesetting even without adult supervision.
Preparing Your Young Child for the Fire Pit Age
Kids younger than five generally lack the skills, coordination, and maturity to handle complex tasks such as building a fire in a fire pit. They are merely in the beginning stages of cognitive development and may not yet possess the right mindset to handle such grave responsibility. Hand-eye coordination is not yet fully developed, too, at this stage.
Hand-eye coordination calls for the synergy of children’s awareness of their body movements and what they see around them. It enables kids to hit a baseball, fly a kite, or ride a bike. Good hand-eye coordination is crucial in performing more complicated tasks such as firesetting.
If you’ve scheduled a backyard barbecue and you’re keen on not making your young child feel left out of the preparation stage, now would be the best time to let your child tag along and look closely at what you’re doing when you’re starting a fire in your fire pit. Answer all questions in detail. Ask your child to analyze different scenarios and come up with sound solutions so they’ll know what to do in an emergency.
Here are some ways to introduce your young child to the wonders of a backyard barbecue and not make them feel left out:
Tidy Up the Space
Ask your child to clear the area around the fire pit. Kids would be eager to gather twigs, dried leaves, or any trash or debris they might see. Tell them that this is important in ensuring everyone’s safety so that they feel useful and needed.
Gather Fire-Making Materials
You can take this as an opportunity to teach your child about the basic concepts of creating fire. Allow your child to gather the necessary materials and explain the uses of each. This way, your child will feel more involved in the process. This action would also be a great way to instill a healthy respect for fire in your child.
Work on Jigsaw Puzzles
Age-appropriate puzzles will help your child hone their problem-solving skills. The small puzzle pieces will help improve their grasp and dexterity. Furthermore, puzzles will teach your child that patience, focus, and determination can help them achieve their goals.
Engage in Sports and Play
Simple games like Simon Says or Tic-Tac-Toe can help develop your child’s hand-eye coordination. Sports like swimming or soccer will help your child get more comfortable with their body, realize their strengths and limitations, and become more confident in performing new tasks. Playing games and sports will also be good for mental health, instilling discipline, and fostering a sense of independence.
Key Takeaways
Nothing brings families and friends together than a warm, cozy fire. A fire pit can be an ideal focal point in your backyard or the perfect highlight of a camping trip. However, it also poses dangers, especially for young children.
You can include young children in the festivities, even in the excitement and wonder of building a fire, by allowing them to do simple tasks. If your 11-year-old is ready, be there for proper guidance during the first firesetting experience. Stress the importance of abiding by the safety rules, so the day ends with fun and laughter.
Sources
- Children’s Medical Group: Developing Hand-Eye Coordination in Children
- Alpine Gas Fireplaces: Fire Pit Safety Essentials for Parents
- Mayo Clinic: First-Aid Kits: Stock Supplies That Can Save Lives
- City of Phoenix: Flammable Fabrics
- 21 Oak: Make Sure Your Kids Know These 6 Fire Pit Safety Tips Before Your Next Barbecue
- Pubmed: Pediatric homicides related to burn injury: a retrospective review at the medical university of South Carolina
- Allstate: What To Know When Considering a Backyard Fire Pit
- Simply Psychology: Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development
- Community Health Strategies: Juvenile Firesetting: A Community Guide to Prevention and Intervention
- Riley Children’s Health: Growth & Development: 6-11 Years
* We make no guarantee of the safety of anyone, at any age making fires. There are simply too many variables. Take our advice and article at your own risk.
