Hand, Then Rail
What you need
- the stairs at home, with a banister they can reach
How to do it
- Start up the stairs holding their hand.
- Halfway, move their hand from yours to the banister.
- Stay right behind them for the rest of the climb.
- Next time, swap to the rail a step or two earlier.
Why it matters
Swapping your hand for the rail bit by bit lets them do more of the climb with less of your help, at their own pace.
What they're learning
- Using a rail
- Moving from your hand to the rail is a step towards stairs with less help.
- Stepping up
- The climb is the same, the support is theirs.
- Doing it themselves
- Letting go of you is a big moment.
What to look for
Watch for them reaching for the rail before you offer it.
A tip
Stay right beside them on every step and keep the stairs clear. Shut the stair gate again when you're done.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: keep hold of their hand the whole way
Harder: start on the rail from the bottom step
