Up to Bed, One Hand

What you need

• the stairs at home

How to do it

1. At bedtime, stand beside them at the bottom of the stairs and hold one hand.
2. Let them lift one foot onto the step, then bring the other up to meet it.
3. Go at their pace, one step at a time, all the way up.
4. Carry them if they get tired partway; there's always tomorrow.

Why it matters

Going up to bed happens every day, so a hand-held climb at bedtime turns into lots of practice without setting anything up.

What they're learning

Stepping up

Lifting their own weight onto the next step is the whole skill, done for real.

Balance with a hand

Your hand steadies them while one leg does the lifting.

A daily routine

Every bedtime is another climb.

What to look for

Watch for them reaching for your hand at the bottom of the stairs.

A tip

Stay right beside them on every step and keep the stairs clear. Shut the stair gate again when you're done.

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