Stairs

Updated on February 10, 2009
W.K. asks from Carlisle, PA
14 answers

Good Afternoon! - When should I feel safe letting my two year old (26 months old) walk up and down the stairs by himself? Thanks, W.. -

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So What Happened?

I think I was looking for a magic answer....I don't feel safe right now w/my son going up and down the stairs, but my son seems confident!

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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think the answer to that depends on how well he handles the stairs, does he hold on to something for support, is he a child who is still clumsy and falls a lot. My kids wanted to walk up stairs without holding my hands probably between 2-2 1/2 years. I let them but followed closely behind so if they fell I could stop them from rolling all the way down. My son was about 3 1/2 and my daughter was about 3 when I started letting them navigate stairs without me following behind.

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S.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

W.,

Every child is different. My son has been walking up and down the stairs by himself since before his 2nd birthday. He is a lot taller than most kids his age. It's what you feel the best time is for this to occur.

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L.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Every child is different and I don't think you'll ever feel completely safe with them doing much anything. But, both my boys were walking up and down steps by 18mo. we of course supervised them, but let them do it on there own. I have friends who were so overprotective of their child that he couldn't walk down steps until after he turned three. It's ultimately your choice as to when your comfortable. God bless.

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

Only you know your child, and it depends on what kind of stairs you have. But I think 2 year olds aren't going to need to go upstairs without a parent. You don't want them getting into things.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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N.H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Dear W.,
Kids love to climb things. My daughter climbed the ladder to the top bunk at age 8 months and was stuck (happily)up there till I found her. I was looking for her all over the house -- I was looking on the floor. She wasn't the least bit perturbed, and then finally I looked up near the ceiling! She was standing at the edge of the bed, holding on to the corner post trying to reach the floor with one foot. OMG !!! She's twenty four now! and seems normal. LOL
All of my kids crawled up the stairs, and most of them had a tumble of two. The trick is learning to crawl back down the same way he crawled up -- on his tummy, preferably feet first. You can help him with that trick!
He'll do fine! ;)
N

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M.H.

answers from Sharon on

You should feel safe letting your son walk up and down the stairs by himself once he's shown that he can do it capably by himself, which could be next week or in another 2 years (but hopefully not, lol). One thing to remember is that we're all individuals, your son included, he'll be able to do things in his own time, just stay tuned into him.

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J.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

I think with kids it's probably case by case on this one. We have spirally stairs that made me very nervous with my daughter. I encouraged her to stay near the wall (the wider part of the step), no play shoes on the stairs, and for her to take her time. It may be a matter of watching your child and reminding them often to take it slow so they don't have an accident. Going down on their his or her belly isn't a bad idea until everyone is comfortable with the descent.

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F.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

Unfortunately, that is something you need to judge for yourself. When you are confident that your child can go up and down the stairs safely, then that would be the time.

I teach my kids to sit down on the steps and scoot down the steps on their butts. It is a safer way of going down the steps. My 8 year old, obliviously doesn't do this anymore. She is allowed up and down on her own. My 3 year old still is not allowed to go down the stairs unless I am there with him. I don't need to hold his hand anymore but I must be there with him. My two year old still doesn't know the sit and scoot yet.

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E.J.

answers from York on

i taught my son to go down on his belly. he is too short for the railing. he has started to go down on his rear end now. i have a 4 month old, so it is very helpful that he can be a little independant.

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N.H.

answers from Harrisburg on

I think my older son was around or just older than 2 when I started letting him do it the big boy way and on his own. My twins are 21 months old and trying to do it the big boy way but I only let them when I'm holding one of their hands.

M.L.

answers from Erie on

i think every kid is different. i have a very independent two 1/2 year old and he goes up and down by himself. but i feel ok about that because he's confident and not wobbly when he goes up and down. i think everyone will be different depending on their level of development.

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K.W.

answers from Williamsport on

I would say it would depend on how long he has been walking to start with. My daughter just turned two this month but she has been walking since she was approx. 10 months old. She walks up and down the stairs just fine. I am a little more wary when it comes to going down just because of the way our banister is situated and she has to be very well balanced. But she is doing well. She likes to follow her older sister upstairs.

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L.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi W.,

Our pediatrician suggested that no matter how good they are at climbing, if they are tired they can get disoriented and fall. So she recommends gates on the stairs until they are at least 3. Otherwise, though, use your judgement.

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C.D.

answers from Scranton on

I say follow your instincts - if you feel comfortable then it's probably OK. I used to walk up holding my boys hand, to go down I had them sit down to slide down on their bottom until they could be trusted to always hold the railing and go slowly. Good luck!

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