How To Buy A Folding Step Stool

A folding step stool is one of the most useful pieces of furniture that you can have around the house.

When it’s time to change a light bulb or reach a high shelf in the closet, you don’t want to ruin your nice chairs by standing on them, or worry about your stability when you are up high. A folding step stool or step ladder is a much better choice.

There are several types of stools to choose from, depending on your needs.

Some stools are designed specifically for children. A kids folding step stool usually has just one step, and allows toddlers and older kids to get a little bit higher so that they can reach the bathroom or kitchen countertop without requiring a parent’s help.

Flip stools are also a good choice for kids. They operate as a folding step stool, or you can flip the top back and turn them into a small chair for kids to sit on.

Adults might consider a single step model, a two step model, or even a step ladder, depending on their specific needs. For something like a pantry, one step is usually plenty. But for changing a light bulb or dusting a ceiling fan, a two step version or a step ladder is usually a better choice, because it gets you higher in the air.

Medical folding step stools are the kind that you often see in a doctor’s office, but they are useful for the home in some instances. For example, and elderly person might appreciate one with a handrail that allows them to keep a grip with one hand as they reach with the other.

Do you want your folding step stool to fold up flat so that you can put it away? Or do you prefer a nicer looking wooden model that is attractive enough to leave out where you can see it? It really depends on personal preference.

As you can see, there are more things to consider when purchasing a folding step stool than you would really expect! I hope I’ve been helpful in going over the options with you.

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Folding Step Stools For Toddlers

Life is frustrating for people who are younger and aren’t tall enough to see over the kitchen counter. When you’re a toddler all you want is to learn how to do things by yourself. You want to pour your own juice. You want to make your own sandwiches. You desperately want to be able to help yourself to the cookies and treats that you know are in the kitchen cupboards. You want to be able to do these things, but you just aren’t tall enough. Heck, you’d be happy to be able to wash your own hands in the bathroom without having to have somebody lift you up so you can reach the sink. As a toddler you know these things, and it makes life kind of frustrating.

Folding step stools will help your toddler become more independent because more items are within their reach and they will be able to learn how to do more things for themselves. Create a splash around the house with a themed folding step stools that features popular children’s characters like Hello Kitty, Maisy, Raggedy Ann, Mr. Rodgers and their favorite Major League Baseball team for little MLB fans. There are different types of step ups including single stepped folding step stools, two stepped folding step stools, folding step stools that come with built in storage, themed folding step stools and even personalized folding step stools. There are also a couple of “deluxe” stools that are more than simple step ups.

One of these “deluxe” folding step stools is the Learning Tower folding step stool which boasts a sturdy and special “non tip” construction design. This stool is actually more of a platform. This stool raises little ones up to the same height as the counter top which allows them to “help” with projects like making dinner. One of the greatest things about the Learning Tower folding step stool is that it is four-sided. It not only gives the toddlers a higher perspective but it has a railing on all sides to keep them from accidentally tumbling backwards off of the stool. The stool’s “floor” is also larger than the average folding step stool, which affords the toddler room to walk around a little bit. It also makes a really good clubhouse if you toss a blanket over the top of it during play time.

Another “deluxe” folding step stool is the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper The that was made with easy storage in mind, as it’s really simply to fold up and store in a small space. The Guidecraft Kitchen Helper features the same raised platform design as the Learning Tower folding step stool. It has the four sided railing and wider “floor” which will help your miniature kitchen staffer move around with more confidence.

Folding step stools help kids learn to do things for themselves. With a folding step stool little ones can turn the lights on and off by themselves, they can reach the bathroom sink by themselves. This is mostly a good thing, in terms of your child’s sense of independence, but you might want to think about possibly putting the yummiest treats on an even higher kitchen shelf from now on!

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A Workshop Folding Step Stool

A man’s workshop is a place of creativity and creation. It is a place where wonderful things are created, and a man can get away from the stresses of everyday life. It needs to be functional and have the right tools and accessories to get the job done. A two step folding step stool is an important item every workshop should have.

This versatile workhorse serves many purposes and will be relied on heavily. It becomes a sturdy work space. You can use it on the job site as a work space. If you make two folding step stools, you can use them for sawhorses.

There are folding step stools that you can purchase, but it is much better if it is made by your own two hands in your own shop. As you will rely on it heavily, it will have more meaning to you if build it yourself. There are many websites and woodworking guide books that have easy plans for your project.

As you will be toting the stool around, it will need to be lightweight and sturdy. A good quality plywood will be the best wood for the job. Be sure that you select wood that does not have a lot of knots and is not warped. Be discerning when you are at the lumber yard and pick the best wood you can.

When doing the construction, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. All edges should be rounded off with a router. As you will be working intimately with the folding step stool, there should not be any sharp or hard edges. All connections should be glued and screwed together. Screws should be countersunk slightly for a nice finish. Finally, the folding step stool should be sealed with a clear polyurethane. This will improve the durability and longevity of your folding step stool.

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Wooden Step Stools From Trusted and Safe Brands

Wooden folding step stools are very important for bedrooms and playrooms of kids. They may look simple but they offer countless of benefits. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that they’re only used as folding step stools While they do a great job at that, they’re much more than that.

They can easily light up any room with their great designs. Parents nowadays make an effort to make sure that their kids’ bedrooms and playrooms will be fun and entertaining. Of course, a good way to do this is to design the room to improve the ambiance and the environment. Usually, it’s the furniture’s job to do this. While toys will provide fun and entertainment, it’s the furniture like wooden folding step stools that can improve the ambiance and the environment.

Things are easier nowadays because of the wide variety of designs. It doesn’t matter if you have a theme in mind for your kid’s bedroom or playroom. You’ll surely find designs that will be perfect for the room. A good way to start is to choose the design depending on your kid’s gender. You’ll find a lot of designs for boys and for girls.

But of course, the design is not your only consideration. You also have to consider the fact that the wooden folding step stools are going to be used a lot of times. They’re going to be used while learning and playing. This is especially true for a learning tower which is one of the most versatile kids’ furniture around.

This is where quality matters. Your kid won’t have any use for a broken folding step stool even if it has great designs. In fact, it’s dangerous especially if it breaks down while your kid is using it. Generally speaking, wooden folding step stools are durable since they’re made of wood. But since it’s your kid that will be exposed to them, it doesn’t hurt to be more certain.

This is why you should go for trusted and safe brands when buying wooden step stools First of all, they carry the best available designs and there are a lot to choose from. This can help ensure that your kid will have furniture that can improve the ambiance and environment. In fact, you can even have them personalized to take them to the next level.

But more importantly, your kid will be safe as he enjoys the benefits of wooden folding step stools They’re made with your kid’s safety in mind and this is the reason why they’re trusted by a lot of parents. The quality is top notch and that can help your kid have a fun and safe time while he’s enjoying the benefits offered by this versatile kids’ furniture.

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Checklist For Child Safety Proofing Your Home – Keeping Your Active Baby Or Toddler Safe!

All babies begin crawling or become mobile according to their own time frame, but generally this happens between 6 and 10 months of age. Therefore, it is critical to prepare your house for this event to ensure your child’s safety!

Below is a Home Safety Checklist that will help you go room by room in your home and look for potential child safety hazards.

Edge & Corner Protection – Every room in the house should be checked for sharp edges and corners. These objects should be removed or covered with edge and corner cushions or bumpers. Coffee tables, end tables, and fireplace hearths are the typical items to consider. Other household items to check for sharp edges in your safety inspection are desks, entertainment centers, shelves, cabinets, window sills, stone or marble stairs, statues or other decoration pieces.

Stairway Protection – All stairways that your baby could potentially have access to should have stairway safety gates. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign (NSKC), Falls Fact Sheet, 2004, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury for children. Children ages 14 and under account for one-third of all fall-related visits to hospital emergency rooms. Because falls are associated with a child’s curiosity and development of motor skills, babies and toddlers are at the greatest risk of fall-related death and injury. Children ages 5 and under accounted for nearly half of the fall related emergency room injuries cited above. Please do not let your child become one of these statistics. Research and install stairway safety gates. Also examine the slats in your stairways and banister to determine if banister guard is needed.

Choking and Ingestion Hazards - Now that your child is or about to become mobile, check your home for small objects that could potentially be within your child’s reach such as small marbles or stones that are often used as decoration around candles or other coffee table center pieces. As part of normal development, babies learn by putting things in their mouth. Remove glass or other breakable/valuable objects. Set dog and cat food out of reach. Use extreme caution and do your research on chemicals if you have your home exterminated or use chemical products to clean (consider organic, non toxic products). Babies and toddlers crawl around on the floor and often but their hands and objects in their mouth. In most cases this also helps them build their immune system, but we have to do our part to keep them safe from serious injury. Check all floor level cabinets for cleaning products, medicine, makeup, alcohols, Ect. and move them to a top cabinet or install safety latches or cabinet sliding locks.

Falling Furniture – Check your home for large items that could fall over and bolt them to the wall. Too many child injuries have occurred due to televisions, entertainment centers, and bookshelves falling over on children. Toddlers like to climb! Additional things to consider as potential falling hazards are computer monitors, large vases, plant stands, and dressers.

Kitchen Safety – As stated earlier ensure that cleaning/chemical products are in a locked cupboard or placed well out of reach. Consider installing a stove guard to prevent burns or a child playing with the knobs and turning the gas on. Move kitchen knife racks well out of reach. Toddlers enjoy helping out in the kitchen and it is important to their developmental growth and independence to do things for themselves, but standing on chairs and folding step stools can also become a fall hazard. Consider investing in a folding step stool with side rails such as the Learning Tower. Children should always be well monitored while standing on folding step stools or chairs.

Electrical Hazards – All unused electrical outlets should have outlet plug covers and cords should be placed out of the way as much as possible. In bathrooms, never leave blow dryers or other electrical items plugged in and unattended near the sink or bath tub.

Windows & Shade Cords – For homes that are two stories or have high windows consider installing window guards if you frequently open your windows. This is especially important in a child’s room. Shade cords should be tied up and out of reach of children. For some reason these cords tend to attract children’s’ attention as a play item and can be extremely dangerous if the cord gets wrapped around them.

As well as child proofing your home, child safety gates are an ideal way to keep your child contained and safe. As a mother of two children, I know how quickly a child can crawl or run if you turn your back for a minute to attend to house hold chores. Give yourself that piece of mind knowing that your child is learning by exploring his world, but contained to safe areas of your home!

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Levels of Discovery Princess Toy Box Bench

Nearly all little girls are fascinated with princesses and dream of living in their own castle, surrounded by beautiful dresses and furniture. For the little princess who has everything, the Levels of Discovery Princess collection consists of a table and chair set, a rocker, a revolving bookcase, a vanity table and chair set, a rocking horse and other accessories for the playroom or bedroom.

The Princess Toy Box Bench is the perfect solution for storing all of your princess’s royal treasures. Built to look just like a real “princess” throne, your little one will be thrilled with this addition to her playroom. From the “Always a Princess” collection by Levels of Discovery, this adorable toy chest will turn her bedroom into a royal palace. And with its comfy padded seat, her toy chest doubles as a place to snuggle up with a good book.

Features:

  • Bench seat that opens for easy storage;
  • Removable seat cushion with purple upholstery and gold tassels;
  • Hand painted in cream, pink and purple, with gold lettering;
  • Seat holds up to 100 pounds
  • Matches all other Levels of Discovery “Always a Princess” furniture and accessories;
  • Some assembly required.

Dimensions after assembly – 32″ L X 13″ W X 28″ H

Safety: The Princess toy box bench is manufactured with a slow-closing safety hinge that prevents the cover from closing suddenly and causing injury.

Commendations: The Levels of Discovery Princess Toy Box Bench has been awarded the “Baby & Children’s Product News 1st Place Winner in Toy Chest Category”

Age Recommendations: The Levels of Discovery Princess Toy Box Bench is recommended for children age three to eight.

Where to find:

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Cooking With Your Kids – Fun Ideas and Tips

Cooking is much more enjoyable when you have your children around you. Making them a part of things in the kitchen is so very important. There’s just something very special about having your kids share in transforming favorite dishes into delightful, edible creations.

Younger children will be more eager to help you with preparing the family meals than the older ones, unless you have been involving your kids in the cooking activities from an early age…which is encouraged.

Let’s face it, what busy Mom couldn’t use a couple of extra set of hands in the kitchen? Special treats like chocolate chip cookies, rice crispy treats, and double-layer chocolate cake seems to magically turn out more delicious on the pallet when prepared by you and your children.

Below are some fun ideas to help encourage your children to want to help you in preparing daily meals and other special treasures. Get your children involved!

* If you have more than one child, give each child their very own special kitchen chore such as cleaning off the table, setting the table, or gathering ingredients.

* Younger children do better with one-step, uncomplicated chores

* Provide each child with their very own step stool high enough to reach the counter or table

* Purchase a small chef’s hat for each child (preferably with their name on it). Your children will really appreciate this and it will also help make them feel that they are a part of things and special.

* Purchase individual cooking tools such as brightly-colored, plastic utensils for measuring and mixing ingredients. Choose different colors for each child. This will help prevent fighting.

Take your children with you when you go to purchase these tools. Make it a fun outing and maybe go out for lunch afterwards.

* Prepare finger foods such as chicken nuggets. These are always a big hit with children. Make it a habit of always keeping a few batches in the freezer. Foods on a stick such as various types of skewers are also popular with kids as well as homemade pizza. Homemade pizza can be lots of fun using lots of variations of toppings and cheeses. Try and be creative and prepare fun foods that you think your children will find enjoyable.

* Assign each child clean-up tasks. A good idea for cleaning up the kitchen is using sticker charts. Make up a chart with each child’s name and chore. If your children does their special clean-up chore (without complaining or whining), award them with a special sticker. Make a sticker chart up for each day of the week.

Using the tips above will surely aid in getting your kids into the kitchen and happily helping you. Sharing cooking and baking activities will prove to be fun and rewarding for both parent and child. Plus, it’s a great learning experience for your children.

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The Benefits of Cooking With Kids

Cooking is a valuable life skill that helps kids to develop their independence. Cooking can also help boost kids’ confidence as they spend quality time with you while contributing something the whole family can enjoy. Cooking activities are a great way for kids to express themselves and enjoy their creations. Parents often are in search of creative activities for their children, sometimes simply to distract them from video games or the TV, and cooking fits that niche admirably. Cooking together is a great way to have fun and share some productive time and experience with your kids. Working in the kitchen can also lead to important discussions about health and safety, which should always be addressed before cooking with kids.

Most kids are interested in learning some basic cooking skills. Parents can help encourage this interest by taking the time to cook with their kids on a regular basis. Start small when cooking with kids. It is important to start with a recipe that does not require extensive preparation. Something simple such as scrambled eggs or cinnamon toast provides an immediate result and a high success rate, which is important for building confidence in kids. Cook with your kids when you know you will not be pressed for time or preoccupied by another responsibility in order to be able to give your kids your undivided attention while you are cooking and focus on enjoying the time you have together. With a little grown-up ingenuity and childlike creativity, you can help your kids eat healthy, avoid the junk-food dinner trap and engage with you in the kitchen with fun, age-appropriate activities.

Here are some tips for having fun, helping kids learn, and staying safe while you’re cooking:

-Take your Time. Cooking with kids is more about the process and less about the end result.

-Start slow and simple: Provide your child with safe opportunities to spread sauces, butters, or frosting with blunt knives, then move up to cutting as he matures.

-Make it fun. Cooking should be an enjoyable experience. It should be fun to work together in the kitchen, and your kids will surprise you by eating their own creations — even vegetables. Kids often will try unfamiliar foods, including vegetables and fruits, when they transform them into personal “creations” like a funny face pizza or a fruit kabob. To the kids, it will seem like fun, but there are other benefits to this time together: Preschoolers see how the dishes they eat are put together – and they get hands-on experience, which is a great way to learn and feel like they are helping out. You don’t have to be a skilled chef to have fun in the kitchen; simple recipes abound, from cooking instant oatmeal to building a sandwich to making fruit salad.

-Take time to explain the process, talk about ingredients, etc. Remember that one of the most important elements when using cooking as your learning tool is to be as talkative and descriptive as possible, especially with younger children. This can be a good time to teach children about color, because foods come in all sorts of different colors. You can also teach your children about shapes… This is especially fun when baking cookies, but can be used with pretty much any recipe. Some other things your child can learn while cooking might be textures, temperature, and measurements.

-Offer them experiences such as: rolling bananas in cereal for a snack, juicing oranges, lemons, and limes, and mashing soft fruits and vegetables

-Kids can help measure ingredients and pour them into a bowl, stir the ingredients together and add to a baking pan, skillet or pot. You can let your child pull cookie dough apart and press onto a baking sheet.

-For younger kids, consider starting with simple dishes with fewer than five ingredients.

-Small kids can use a folding step stool to be able to work more comfortably on the counter

-Older kids can be taught how to crack eggs or measure ingredients, grind cooked meat for a meat spread, or beat eggs with an eggbeater

-Keep it safe. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and baking soda next to the stove to douse any fires, and consider storing a first-aid kit nearby for quick treatment of minor accidents.

-Good cooks of all ages always wash their hands before cooking. Don’t forget to educate him on the dangers of eating raw foods like eggs and meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Cooking with kids does require a little bit of extra time, effort, and patience but it can be good learning experience for kids and enjoyable for everyone. Cooking with kids can be a way to create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

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Is Your Home Fall Proof?

Family safety is more than just preventing against fire and crime. Everyday situations can affect your safety. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death among children. Elderly people as well are very susceptible to injury from falling, but everyone can gain from a fall proof home.

Windows and Balconies

Children are explorers by nature and are often tempted to climb up to windows and balcony guardrails to see what’s going on outside. A fall can happen in an instant. Never leave children unattended on a balcony or near an open window.

Some bi-laws require apartment windows to have mechanical safety devices that prevent them from being open more than a few inches. In most cases window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls by even the smallest child.

Checklist:

  • Remove anything climbable away from all windows and balconies. This may include, cribs, beds, chairs, furniture or even stuffed animals.
  • Ensure that everyone in your apartment knows that window screens cannot prevent a fall.
  • Place childproof locks on exits to balconies and windows.
  • Consider the use of a child safety beam alarm

Preventing Falls throughout the home

Windows and Balconies aren’t the only fall hazards in a home. Slippery outside steps and indoor floors, poorly lit stairs, and clutter are responsible for a vast number of falls each year. Each of these problems is easily preventable.

Checklist:

  • Don’t use throw or scatter rugs on hard surfaces without a slip resistant underlay.
  • Consider night lights in hallways or a glow in the dark light switch plate.
  • Keep all floors free from clutter and spills.
  • Reduce the need fro a step stool by storing heavier items on lower shelves and frequently used items within arm length
  • Make sure all folding step stools have a safety handle and rubber tipped feet.
  • Repair all damaged floor surfaces like bent vinyl tiles, chipped ceramic, or wrinkled carpet to prevent tripping.
  • Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and beside the tub.
  • Consider the use of grab bars, and a bath folding step stool or bench in the bathroom
  • Consider adding a strip along the edge of each house step in a contrasting color for ease of use.
  • Always close all file cabinets and drawers
  • Cover all cables that cross walkways.
  • Replace all used light bulbs and faulty switches.
  • If you use floor wax in the kitchen make sure it is the non-skid kind.
  • If you wear reading glasses, make sure you remove them before going up or down stairs.
  • Keep a flashlight and fresh batteries in a safe convenient place in case there is a power failure

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10 Simple Changes For Your Home To Increase Your Toddler’s Confidence And Independence

One of the greatest gifts my husband and I gave ourselves was enrolling our children in a Montessori school while they were toddlers. We quickly learned that even as young as 14 months, children are capable of learning how to care for themselves and be an active participant in family life. In fact, they may even express in words and actions, “Help me do it by myself!”

By adapting our household environment to meet our oldest son’s needs, we noticed that he was more content and acted out less. We also benefitted because our son progressively became more self-sufficient in the home.

Here is a list of 10 simple changes you can make in your home to support your toddler’s independence.

1. Liqht switch extenders

Install a few of these in your home to enable your child to turn on the light in the rooms he has access to. We ones we purchased were made from clear plastic, so it was not an eyesore in the home. At first your child may be so excited that he will want to practice turning the lights on and off. A LOT. This will pass.

2. A low cabinet in the kitchen filled with a few cups, plates and silverware

Provide your child with some easy-to-open containers with ready-made snacks that can be stored on a lower shelf in the pantry or the refrigerator, and a small pitcher filled with juice or water. Your child will be able to serve himself. Be sure to show him how to clean up after himself. In our household we started using cloth napkins. Children at this age love to fold, so teach him how to fold and put away napkins.

3. Low shelves and book baskets in the bedroom and living areas

Place just a few toys and puzzles on each shelf. Corral toys with several pieces in attractive containers or baskets. Encourage your child to play with one toy at a time and to return that toy before selecting another. Keep other toys stored away, and rotate them every few weeks.

Instill a love of books by storing books in baskets throughout your home. Children of this age enjoy flipping through books about what they see in the world. Give them a rich variety of books with photographs and real-to-life illustrations of animals, insects, plants and people.

4. Child-size tables and chairs in the kitchen, common areas and bedroom

Once your child has prepared his snack or chosen a puzzle, he’ll have a place to eat or play. We purchased unfinished wooden table tops and legs from a home improvement store and painted them to match our décor. The legs come in various sizes, so it was easy to replace just the table legs as our children grew. Unfinished children’s chairs can be found at craft stores. If they are too tall for the child, cut the legs to accommodate the child’s size.

5. Stools in the bathrooms to climb up to the toilet and reach the sink.

Opt for either a flip top toilet seat or a child seat that fits on a standard toilet and provide a folding step stool for your child to reach the toilet. This folding step stool can also help your child reach the sink and countertop. Store your child’s toothpaste and toothbrush, and hairbrush within arm’s reach.

6. A taller folding step stool or Learning Tower for the kitchen

For the littlest ones, a Learning Tower is a safe choice because the child is surrounded on all sides. As they get older, however, a taller, foldable folding step stool is fine. Toddlers love to play with water at the kitchen sink and help with meal preparation.

7. Child-size tools for home and garden

Children find great satisfaction when they participate in caring for the home and garden. Give them a child-size broom, mop and a small dustpan and brush. Home improvement stores often have small brooms and inexpensive metal pails. The pole of a Swiffer is adjustable and can be made to just the right size for your child. On a small shelf, provide a handled basket with a spray-bottle of water, a squeegee and a small washcloth for window washing. Cut sponges in half to easily fit in a child’s hand, and keep a basket of small washcloths in the kitchen to encourage your child to wipe up spills.

Garden tools and gloves for children are often available at Target in the Spring. Keep a selection of small vases on hand for children to pick and arrange flowers. See the resources section below for links to websites that sell child-sized products that you’re unable to find locally.

8. Double Hang Closet Rod

Allow your child to select his own clothes by providing him with a closet rod he can reach. Give him clothing that is easy to pull on and off, with easy-to-use snaps, buttons or velcro. Place a small clothes hamper in his closet for dirty clothes. Encourage him to help with the laundry by asking him to carry his soiled clothes to the washer and carry clean clothes on hangers to put away in his closet.

9. Hooks installed at your child’s height

Install hooks by the front and back doors so your child can hang his own coat. Hooks in the bathroom allow the child to hang up his bath towel.

10. Small hamper and extra clothes in ALL bathrooms during potty training

In some Montessori toddler classrooms, “toileting” starts from day 1, where children wear cotton training pants instead of diapers. To support this transition at home, we kept changes of clothes and a basket for soiled clothes in every bathroom. Whenever our children had an “accident”, they knew they could go to any bathroom in the house and change their own clothes. This method of potty training was very effective for our kids, who were both out of diapers before they were two years old.

Adapting your home environment to support your child’s development and independence is easy to do and will also support YOU. Children are more capable than most adults give them credit for, and changing the environment to fit their size and needs will empower them in their growth. As you begin to see what your child is capable of doing and notice the pride and joy in your child as he accomplishes tasks in his daily life, you will find enjoyment in having him help you around your home and discover more ways to adapt your surroundings to support his drive to know and learn how to “do it himself”.

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