Toddler Climbing
Just when you thought you were safe from the anxieties of caring for a delicate infant, one day they just grow into this (what you believe to be) … delicate toddler. Not so much! From 15 to 24 months, these hard-headed and curious little children appear to be driven to climb. It’s a normal part of their development to use their increasing strength and agility to explore new places. Some children are naturally more physically active and curious than others.
Here are a few suggestions on how to keep your cool during these times and save yourself from mini heart-attacks:
- Accept that this is probably your son’s natural temperament. No matter how many times you say “no” and try to interest him in activities where he stays seated, he may always be driven to be physically active.
- Make sure your son gets a lot of physical activity every day. Try to take him outdoors to the park to run around and climb safely on climbing structures designed for toddlers. These have low platforms, guard-rails to prevent them from falling off and absorbent material underneath (sand, wood chips or approved rubber matting). There are many safe activities you can do at home such as dancing to music, chasing each other, crawling around the house and rolling balls.
- Make your home safe for your climber. Move sofas and sofa chairs away from windows to prevent him from falling out. Make sure the entertainment center and other shelves are bolted to the wall to prevent him from pulling them down on himself. Consider installing protective covers on your stove to prevent burns and safety knobs on the bathroom doors. Outdoors, never leave ladders up against the house.
- Never leave your child unsupervised inside your home or outdoors. Always anticipate what dangers he could get into and try to stay one step ahead of him.
- Keep talking with your son about safety rules. Be clear and firm about serious dangers: “No touching the hot stove.” “Always hold my hand when crossing the street.”
