by Trudy Brown

Created on: February 22, 2010

At some point during the last few days, my toddler came under the illusion that he is a mountain goat. We've been awake for an hour today and I have already pulled my son off the kitchen table 3 times. I realize that climbing is a natural part of toddler development. It is important to good muscle development, problem solving skills, and confidence. As I drank my coffee this morning and watched him try to pull himself up onto the toy box, I began to wonder, “How can I allow him climbing time without risking broken bones?” With supervision, it is possible for your toddler to get the climbing impulse out of his system without cracking his skull.

-Remove Temptation: As much as possible, remove dangerous climbing temptations. Line the dining room chairs against the wall away from the table. Your toddler will still be able to practice getting into the chairs without the added risk of climbing onto the table.

-Remove Steps: Remove any boxes, foot stools, or toys that your toddler uses to help him climb up onto other furniture. The higher your toddler climbs, the further the potential fall. Keeping his climbs to a lower altitude will ensure that he won't lose confidence or suffer serious injury should he take a spill.

-Provide an Outlet: I don't want my toddler to stop climbing. I just want him to climb safely. Parks or backyard swing sets with a slide or monkey bars can provide sturdy climbing opportunities under supervision. If you're stuck inside, create an obstacle course out of couch cushions, boxes and ottomans for him to practice scaling.

-Take Precautions: Hide items that might tempt your toddler to climb. Don't leave favorite snacks on the counter in plain sight. Either put them in a cabinet or find a place for them lower down where your toddler can help himself without climbing. If your toddler has a tendency to climb bookshelves, anchor them to the wall. A fall is bad enough without adding a rain of books and knick-knacks.

Climbing is just another way that toddlers learn and explore the world around them. It turns mothers into nervous wrecks and creates its share of bumps and bruises. However, with persistent redirection from parents and time, our little mountain goats will learn to tell the difference between appropriate places to climb and inappropriate. Eventually, the novelty will wear off. Climbing will be reserved for the monkey bars and we parents will have found other sources of stress.

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