Is your child having a difficult time getting the hang of stair negotiation? This developmental skill typically emerges around the age of 3, but some kids are more hesitant or have more difficulty picking up on how to coordinate this movement.
Stair Negotiation Quick Tip
If your child needs a little extra practice with stair negotiation, try introducing a visual component. Adding a visual prompt can really help reinforce motor learning of the alternating pattern of the feet.
Use two different kinds of stickers, placing them on each step where your child’s foot should go, alternating stickers. For example, if you use heart and smiley face stickers, put a heart toward the right side of one step and on the next step, put a smiley face toward the left side — try to space them right where your child would actually step. Try using only 3-4 steps at first until they get the hang of it. The visual component really helps to reinforce the motor learning of this pattern!
Learn more about Helping Kids Learn to Climb Stairs Safely.
And check out our Simple Movement Activities for Kids Using Stairs!
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