I saw someone asking on another forum, re covid19 stockpiling: how is it that people buy so much flour? Are they planning to bake cakes all day?
Some people do not see the ability to cook food from simple, basic ingredients as a basic ("survival") skill anymore.

Then, I'm not sure you meant this, but when I cook with kids I always give them unwashed ingredients. To do it from zero so to speak, washing them first, then cutting etc.

BTW, pancakes are not a "USA culture sweet". Very common all over Europe, and they can be salty, too.
That said, making the batter is only part of the work. Making an actual good pancake from it is a solid achievement for an 8-year-old!