28/04/2022
Why does my toddler keep climbing on everything?
It’s part of the ORIENTATION schema!
They are learning about spatial awareness, force, weight, and the abilities of their body. They are building gross-motor skills and developing risk taking skills that will actually help prevent injuries as they get older.
“So I just let them climb the 6 foot high bookshelf? Ok 😳?!”
No! There is actually developmental benefits to most of what children do everyday, all day. It’s just hard for a lot of adults to see that learning because it looks like mess and trouble to us. So in this case, you can provide opportunities for safe climbing. Children who are focused on the Positioning schema also tend to enjoy positioning other items so collections of things like blocks, peg people, little logs, even stuffies. They also tend to enjoy boxes as this schema is often combined with the Enveloping and/or Enclosing schemas, as well.
If they are climbing to jump off, they may be more focused on the Trajectory schema so you can provide safe opportunities for jumping off and onto things, and safe items to throw. Warning, hard blocks are not always the best toy for a child focused on the trajectory schema so try to provide things that can be thrown instead of constantly trying to stop throwing.
5 items that support these schemas that you can find around the house
1. Cardboard boxes, big and small
2. Rolled up socks
3. Pillows
4. Laundry baskets
5. Small towels
Want to learn more about toddlers? Get the Toddler Workshop Series through the link in my bio
Link to workshop sessions in bio or on the website: responsiveparentinginspirations.com
