Climbing toddler

macchicken

At eighteen months (much to my mothers horror) i climbed a 9ft fence! I know a wee girl who ened up head first in a box of my little ponies!
Unfortunately almost nothing is going to stop bairns from climbing where they shouldnt, you just have to watch they dont get into too much danger, and when they suffer the small bump (that we all saw coming) it does them the world of good.
Its just keeping them off he really high stuff thats the problem.

MATH

There's not a thing you can do to stop them climbing. As Spendless said they are just learning about the world they live in. A inquisative todller has a brain and wants to use it. Try not to get into too much of a lather (difficult I know) and look around your home to reduce accident spots. For example chairs placed near interesting places such as windows, mantle pieces.

My youngest boy liked a particular window to climb up to next to a table with a nasty sharp corner, so I moved the table so that when he fell (he did) he didn't crack his head open.

Close supervision and lots of kissing bumps better is about all you can do. It doesn't last forever and most nippers survive ;D

morlandbanks

I know this is going to sould really harsh, but this is my method - and it works!

When my son started climbing on the sofa, I would just pick him up and put him on the floor and say 'no climbing on the sofa'. I made sure there wasn't really anything else he could get to - no coffee table, stairgates and closed doors kept him pretty contained. One day he fell off the sofa. It's only about 1 1/2ft off the ground, so there was no serious injury, possibly a few bruises. When I picked him up for a cuddle I explained that he shoudn't climb on things in case he falls down again.
He didn't get up on the sofa again until he was big enough to get up and down safely. Simple, yet effective!
Now he's 3 and is starting to jump on the beds and things like that. Same rules apply. I pick him up and put him on the floor. He knows it's naughty and I've warned him not to expect too much sympathy when he falls off.
I know it's harsh, but I find this works better than me constantly telling him off and getting all panicky.

Just a point about the naughty step too. It's a great idea and works miracles, but please use it wisely!! Over use of the naughty step seems to dilute it's power somewhat. I have a 3 count rule. It's really amusing to people who watch me do it. Simply tell little monkey to stop (or start, or whatever your objective is). Threaten to count to three (never say what happens when you get to three!! That's the golden rule, and the driving force for your child to a) respond b) fear your wrath!!) Then in a very loud, powerful, downright scary voice, shout ONE..........leave about 5 secs then repeat your instruction, eg get up the stairs now!.....TWO.

I can honestly say I have NEVER had to reach number 3. It's amazing! Don't know what I'd do if I did! Think up a new system I guess.

Also, you have to ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good. Not a new idea, but a really good one.

For anyone about to call social services, can I just say that, though my son is a little monkey at times, all my friends say what a well behaved polite happy little boy he is. He really is a pleasure. I'm sure my no nonsense techniques are worth the effort because we now have a lot more fun time together and a lot less shouting and arguing.

divadee

little miss divadee used to climb all the time. I tried telling her no etc... but it didnt stop her, then one day she fell off and mean old mummy just said i warned you that one day you would hurt yourself.

She only tried it once again after that and when i reminded her that it hurt last time she never ever did it again.

Harsh way for her to learn but it did work.

Spendless

Thought i'd bump this thread cos today i have taken my daughter for her 18 month check.
I was given a questionaire to fill in by my health visitor and the very first question on it was

'is your child developing motor skills by cimbing on furniture'

so perfectly normal behaviour

best wishes

Yoga_Girl

My daughter due her 18 month check anyday now - not only is she developing motor skills by climbing on furniture she's developing her flying skills by dive-bombing off the furniture and laughing hysterically as she crash-lands!

deronda

i have twin boys of 2.  They have been climbing on furniture, kitchen worktops etc since I can remember them being able to move!  This is something you will never stop them doing.  Children want to help, to copy mummy and daddy and see what you are doing.  

Let them grow and explore just make sure you keep things as safe as possible.  Teach them how to climb back down that way you know they are that little bit safer and are not going to hurl themselves off anything and everything as a mehtod of getting down.

They are going to be climbing up and down the stairs soon and it does not matter how careful you teach them to be or how careful you are they are going to fall down.  My youngest twin has fallen down the stairs a few times now but learns from it each time.  Children have a nack of bouncing!

Watch them grow and learn and enjoy it.  They are proud of their achievements and you should be too.

plumpmouse

My 13 month old is always climbimg and has been for ages. However he does seem to have learnt the knack of coming off things sensibly so we have had few tears from falls.

He first climbed the stairs at his Grandma's when he was 9 months old which was quite a shock as we live in a bungalow so he doesn't see stairs all that often, he's never come down on his own though yet as i'm terrified of what may happen  :-/ :-/

perryash1

I have three little treasures, the naughty stair does work as long as you dont overdo it, well it does for me and also distracton is a brilliant idea, it may seem so simple but by just getting the little darlings down from the lampshade and doing something like a book or puzzle straight away works wonders, just make sure that you always have something to hand, I am always told how polite and well behaved mine are so I must be doing something right!,
Hope this helps.