The stairs They are dangerous, which is why it is important to block them with security doors. However, we will not be able to warn them forever with a "no-no" when they approach them. When do children start climbing stairs? When should you supervisedly let him explore the stairs? We talked about it today.
Babies begin to be curious about stairs when they are already they master crawling. From there they will explore them and discover with our help how to raise them first and lower them later. Something that will represent a milestone in its development. But how to get there?
His evolution climbing the stairs
Each baby is a world and has its own rhythm. Not everyone develops in the same way, begins to crawl at the same age or is exposed to stairs in the same way, so we cannot expect everyone to start climbing stairs at the same time. However, there are indicative development guidelines which we think is interesting to share so that you have a reference. They are the following:
First crawling approach
From 9 months of age, babies begin to master crawling and feel comfortable crawling. It will be at that age when they will begin to be curious about the steps if they are exposed to them and will try to climb the first one on their own. However, it will not be before 11-12 months when babies have the necessary security to climb a step on all fours and then move your body down moving backwards.
Even when they begin to walk, children will use this technique to climb stairs. This is the only one way they will feel safe to do it for some time and until they master it they will not take the next step which will be to try to raise them in a vertical position.
Rise in vertical position
Rarely before 20 months The children begin to climb the stairs vertically. They then always do it with support from the handrail and always using the same foot to climb the steps. Going down is another matter, it's a little more difficult! and it will not be until they master the climb that they will be able to begin practicing the descent.
The descent is starting to not be so scary
As they progress, they will be able to climb the stairs using one hand. However, they will still need support on both sides to lower. It will not be until around 24 months when children will begin to advance in this task that will become less and less terrifying for them and for us.
They can go up and down alone
The time has come to answer the initial question: When do children start climbing stairs? It is not before two years when small children begin to go up and down the stairs alone, still directing the action with one foot and with certain difficulties.
At four years old, most will be able to climb the stairs like adults, using both feet. And a little later they will be able to lower them in the same way, with both feet alternately. They will also gain speed.
Conclusion
Each child has his own rhythm and not everyone is exposed to stairs in the same way, so we cannot expect everyone to be able to go up and down stairs like an adult at the same age. It is likely that a child who begins to walk early and is frequently exposed to stairs will be able to climb the stairs alone at 30 months, however, if these circumstances do not exist, it is normal for it to take a little longer and nothing happens! !
If you see that your child is afraid, the worst thing you can do is force him or her to go up and down the stairs. Let him become familiar with the stairs, let him little by little feel confident with crawling and then encourage him to do it vertically. And of course, make sure it does always under your supervision. Use doors on the stairs until he knows how to open the door or masters the stairs, whichever comes first.