Best way to learn to go down stairs?

SposaBellarina · February 2014

My LO can climb up the stairs on her own, and now I'd like her to start learning to do down-- I'm just not sure what the best way is. I've been directing her to scoot down on her butt with some success, and she sometimes even pushes and bends with her legs, rather then just allowing gravity to slide her down. She seems to prefer climbing down backwards, though. This makes me nervous, because I think she's more likely to fall this way, but maybe it's more natural to her and therefore safer? FWIW: we live in an old house with all hardwood and tile floors. Thanks in advance!

hilsy85 · February 2014

Climbing down stairs backwards is actually the safest way for them to go down, IMO--that's the way the teachers at our activity center teach the kids.

SPK926 · February 2014

Every time DD was at the top of the stairs I would physically move her so that she was on her belly feet first. Then I would guide her stair by stair until we reached the bottom. I did this each time (well, most times...) we went down the stairs and last week it clicked for her and on her own she got on her belly and scooted down the stairs. Within a day or two she's like an old pro at it. I LOVE not having any gates up anymore!

Just guide and direct your LO and eventually they'll get it. Definitely teach her to go feet first on her belly though; it's really the safest way!

shannm · February 2014

Backwards is the safest way to go.

brachysira · February 2014

We go to a preemie playgroup with a physical therapist. She says they have to go down backwards and it's not safe any other way. They have some practice steps and she physically turns them around repeatedly and guides then down backwards so they can see what to do. My LO doesn't exactly respond to that, but we let her climb on some couch pillows on the floor and similar and she figured out on her own to go backwards.

SposaBellarina · February 2014

Thanks everyone! We have a 5-day weekend here due to snow and ice, so we have been practicing.

BLPL101 · February 2014

My mom was a toddler teacher and told me to teach her to go down on her tummy. She's 13 months and has been doing it for about a month. It's one of her favorite things to do!

shannm · February 2014

Nicb13 said:

theresat858 said:

DH started teaching DD to crawl down backwards at 10months. She now does it very safely. I'm not sure why you don't think this is the safest method?
Sadly, DD now wants to go down the stairs like a "big girl". We keep trying to get her to slide down backwards instead.

By "big girl" do you mean walking down them normally and holding on to a rail or something? Why shouldn't she be able to do that at her age? Is she too small?

My DD is no where near being able to walk down that way at 22 months. Sure with help and only a small landing, maybe. But going down our hardwood 15 steps at home face first on her feet? No way. She would trip and fall head first, guaranteed.

She can maneuver belly down, feet first, ok.

SposaBellarina · February 2014

We live in an old house with steep narrow steps, and DD's legs are just too short for her to go down holding the hand rail yet-- she tried that, after trying backwards and forwards, and now she has settled on her own sideways method! Thanks everyone for your advice.

shannm · February 2014

LalaMama81 said:

shannm said:

Nicb13 said:

theresat858 said:

DH started teaching DD to crawl down backwards at 10months. She now does it very safely. I'm not sure why you don't think this is the safest method?
Sadly, DD now wants to go down the stairs like a "big girl". We keep trying to get her to slide down backwards instead.

By "big girl" do you mean walking down them normally and holding on to a rail or something? Why shouldn't she be able to do that at her age? Is she too small?

My DD is no where near being able to walk down that way at 22 months. Sure with help and only a small landing, maybe. But going down our hardwood 15 steps at home face first on her feet? No way. She would trip and fall head first, guaranteed.
She can maneuver belly down, feet first, ok.

I'm sure every kid is different but we are all hardwoods, same steps and DD could go down face first walking by that age. It took awhile and sometimes was precarious but I'm a big believer that they know their body best and they need to do it the way that feels right. I'm not going to walk away - I'll watch and help if necessary, but one they start to want to go forward, it's time to let them.

Yeah, my kids are not what I would call "athletic," lol. Most of their energy goes to their heads. Their ridiculously big heads that make them top heavy and would cause them to go head first down a flight of steps.

emberlee3 · February 2014

DD insists on walking down the stairs like an adult. She tries to alternate feet even though her legs are way too short. She is in total denial that she is only a toddler. Such a handful! Backwards is safest, if your kid will do it.

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