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Home › Articles › Home Safety Issues › Toddler Ups and Downs

Toddler Ups and Downs

Teaching Tots to Use the Stairs

By Sue Poremba

Pages:  1  2  3  

"Always, always, keep all doors leading to stairs locked at all times," Bramsch says. "That's the only thing that will stop your toddler from exploring on his own." For extra protection from clever toddlers who can reach door handles, consider attaching a latch well above your toddler's reach.

On staircases without doors, such as the steps between the first and second floors, use safety gates. The gates should be installed at both the top and bottom of the staircase. They should be simple for an adult or older child to operate – after all, other people will still need to use the stairs – but too difficult for toddler hands to open. Older children should be taught the importance of always locking the gate behind them.

When helping your toddler learn to use the stairs, try to use a staircase that is enclosed the entire way. If you must use stairs that are open, always have your toddler walk along the wall, if there is one. The toddler should be taught to use the railing when walking. Her hands should be free, so she can grip the railing or balance herself if she crawls up and down the steps.

When a child falls down the stairs, Fishman recommends that parents guard their reactions until they can assess the situation. "If a child is not hurt, but a parent screams or has another large, scary reaction, that parent will teach their child to fear any kind of fall and to cry whether or not the child is hurt," she says.

It takes patience, but as your toddler becomes more confident and coordinated, climbing the stairs will be another milestone tackled.

Keep in Mind...

The stairs should never be used as a play area. Even if your child is playing quietly, it is easy for a toddler to lose balance and fall. Also, stairs should be kept clear of toys, shoes, books and other clutter that can be tripped on.

"Children need to be taught that they can either go up or down the stairs," says Claire Fishman. "They should not be taught or encouraged to stop in the middle to sit or play because stairs can be dangerous. You can crawl up next to the toddler so you can keep your hands on his/her back or very close by."


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