Learning the stairs

It is sometimes scary for parents to have a staircase in their home. However, the latter can be very useful for the psychomotor development of your child. Provided you show great vigilance, of course. The sooner a child is confronted with this type of obstacle, the faster he will learn to master it. Also remember that these steps do not always lead to the top floor of the house… but also to the top of the slide for example! When you go out to the park, your little one will inevitably encounter them. So do not hesitate to promote this learning. Besides, early childhood professionals agree that parents should approach this stage with serenity. Experts also consider that this learning is a notorious landmark in the development of babies, in the same way as the acquisition of walking or language. Indeed, mastery of this step is directly linked to the acquisition of cleanliness. A child who knows how to climb the stairs masters his sphincters and is ready for the potty. In addition, a child who, at the age of four, does not manage to descend a staircase without placing both feet on each step each time, certainly has a (slight) delay. In addition to these aspects, remember that falls are the main risk of household accidents in 0 to 6 year olds. To avoid them on the stairs, it is therefore important to introduce your child early enough to go up and down the stairs.

A safety barrier to secure the stairs

In order to avoid accidents and minor injuries, focus on safety first. There is no question of letting your baby crawl around the top of your stairs. There, a barrier is imposed as soon as the child moves, even if he is only crawling. At the bottom, the barrier is also essential: place it only from the second or third step. Thus, while holding it, your child will be able to gradually discover the staircase. 

Stairs: at what age will Baby start?

Like all learning, the staircase must be done smoothly, at the pace of the child. Above all, do not rush it. At first he must take it as a game. However, be aware that it is only around two years old that the complete climbing of the stairs will be possible, standing, provided that a ramp at the right height facilitates the maneuver. Before that age, he will certainly be attracted to the staircase in the living room, and certainly impatient to climb it. As soon as he crawls on all fours, you will be able to initiate him to climb the stairs, by maintaining him and taking care of his movements. Stand one or two steps below him, and put his knees on the top step, one at a time.

Baby come down the stairs

Like the climb, at the start, the descent will be on all fours and backwards. Teach your child to turn around so as not to face the stairs from the front. But beware: adult supervision is obviously always essential. Stand at his side and teach him to slide his knees onto the bottom step, one at a time. Later, when he will be able to stand up, always go down with him, holding his hand, until he is sufficiently independent in the control of his movements.

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