Toddler Becomes the Climber
So your toddler thinks they're a mountaineer. Start by acknowledging the thrill of climbing. It's great they love adventure, but shelves aren't Everest. Here's how to redirect that energy.
Why They Climb
To them, the living room (or wherever you store those teetering towers of books) is a jungle gym. They're exploring, testing, or maybe just bored while you're trying to make dinner.
Move Those Temptations
First, assess the landscape. Start by moving the shelf away from the wall or out of sight. If they can't see it, it doesn't exist for now. Seriously, I have no idea why this can work.
Offer a Climbing Alternative
Set up a safe climbing area. A small indoor slide or a few gym mats could do the trick. When my toddler tried scaling the piano (yes, it was as nerve-wracking as it sounds), we got a little mini-climber set in the playroom and saw fewer attempts at summiting the bookshelf.
Use Direct Language
When you catch them in action, say, "Get down from there — we don't climb that." Keep it firm but not angry. Follow up with, "Let's climb this instead," and lead them to their designated safe space.
Catch Them Early
Watch for cues that climbing might be imminent — that lookout gleam in their eye at around 4 p.m. every day. Distract early with a puzzle or a particularly engaging episode of Peppa Pig.
Real-Life Scene: Redirecting Works
A typical day, there he is again with one foot on the shelf. "We don't climb shelves," I remind him, gesturing to the stack of empty boxes we've repurposed as a makeshift tunnel on the floor. "How about you climb this mountain instead?" Sometimes it works like a charm, other days, well, sort of.
A Little Perspective
These tricks might not make a climber out of every toddler, and they may not be foolproof every single time. But redirecting kept my nerves in check more often than not — scratch that, I still mess this up sometimes. Keep offering the alternatives, and hope for the best.