Once you walk into their nursery and find them standing in their crib, you know things are about to become much more chaotic and challenging. Your days of “potted plant phase” have passed; now begins an endless “climb all things” stage of development.
Climbing and taking risks are integral parts of development for children of any age; finding tools and toys to safely foster those skills can be the trickiest aspect. There are various toddler climbing toys on the market today that fit this bill; one such ubiquitous choice is Pikler triangle.
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What Is A Pikler Triangle (also Known As: Climbing Triangle)
Chances are high you’ve encountered the Pikler triangle at playgroup or preschool already if your toddler attends one regularly; usually made of wood and in the shape of an inverted triangle, these climbers look similar to V-shaped ladders with wide bases to avoid tipping during play time and round edges for safety purposes – though often aligning itself with Montessori learning environments it should not necessarily be considered part of its repertoire as toys! Although used within many Montessori learning environments it does not necessarily be considered part of its canon of play equipment but instead is considered part of their philosophy rather than toy box!
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Benefits of a Pikler Triangle
Nothing beats having something fun for an energetic toddler when trying to kill time! A climbing triangle certainly fits this bill; yet it offers so much more besides. According to Juli Williams, a Montessori educator: “We use Pikler triangle to work on refinement of equilibrium – how to stand, step, balance climb reach pull step down from its structure”. Plus it allows children to develop gross motor skills as they climb and descend, perch themselves atop, play or simply explore on it’s surface.
Pikler triangles provide not only physical benefits to children but can also foster independence and confidence as children explore and play independently. Their open design facilitates free, creative play allowing for active imagination development as well as problem-solving capabilities.
Who invented the Pikler Triangle?
This concept, named for Emmi Pikler (Hungary pediatrician and early childhood educator who popularized free play as part of child development), first made its debut at an orphanage during World War Two in 1945.
Pikler shared the Montessori belief that infants and young children needed space to explore, discover and play without interference from adults. She believed babies are perfectly capable of entertaining themselves on their own and shouldn’t be placed into situations they couldn’t access on their own.
According to Pikler, when learning to turn their belly, roll, creep, sit up straight, stand and walk – (babies are) learning not only their movements but also how to learn independently; by exploring and testing things out for themselves. They become capable of dealing with challenges on their own without assistance while finding joy from successful outcomes due to patient and perseverence”.
Pikler Triangles
Climbing triangles offer one of the greatest advantages: their expand-with-me design allows children to start climbing as soon as they’re capable of standing on their own! In its early years it can serve as a play gym with baby underneath and toys suspended above; once stronger players join, let the real fun begin!
“Ideally, climbing structures should be introduced when children can independently walk. But 9-12 month-old babies may benefit as pull up structures,” notes Williams. However, younger babies and toddlers must always be closely supervised when using this structure as many start climbing before mastering how to climb down independently.
Always bear in mind that all children’s development varies and that an age range for using a Pikler triangle should just serve as an approximate guideline. Some may begin using one at an early age while others require more time. It’s essential that parents ensure the child is physically and developmental prepared before using this equipment, and are available as needed to supervise and provide necessary assistance –
William offers some straightforward advice when selecting a Pikler triangle: When purchasing any climbing structure for children it is critical that it comes from a trusted brand and adheres to safety specifications, including weight recommendations ensuring your children fall within this weight range.”