How to keep a toddler from the stairs

Question

my 1 1/2 year old son is learning how to climb over things...like the baby gate at the bottom of our stairs. so he climbs over the gate and goes right up the stairs. but, he doesn't know how to get back down the stairs and i'm worried he will fall down the stairs before i have a chance to get to the top to get him.

any suggestions on how to keep him from climbing the gate, or a better way to block the stairs?

Answer 1

You could get a second gate to put on top of the first one.. like they are stacked. Just make sure it's one that swivels open like a door (so that you can still get through with both of them up) and also one that can be screwed into the wall so that your son can't pull it down onto himself.

And just keep working with him on the stairs. =) He'll eventually get it. But until he's completely mastered it, I would keep him off the stairs by himself. And try to second gate. =)

Good luck!  

Answer 2

i had the same problem but i came up with the solution of simply teaching her how to climb up and down the stairs.. she is now a pro and is 2 and never fell....

Answer 3

Here are some ideas for you to try.

1) Try to teach him how to scoot down the stairs.

2) Put a sensory alarm by the gate if you are not always in the room that has the stairs when he is, this way you will be alerted that he is trying to climb the gate, and you can stop him at the start.

Answer 4

i say dont block the stairs and tech him to go up and down, hes 1 1/2 he should be able to handle it. also if u dont want to teach him i saw that if u take away the gate there will be no reason to need to be on the other side of it and he will most likly leave it alone. but if he is able to climb over a gate, learning to come down stairs should not be to hard

Answer 5

Reinforce everything with a supportive tone. The only was everything has worked with my daughter is to talk to her like an adult and give her a choice. She has to look me in the eye when I talk to her to let me know she is truly listening. Tell him why he cannot do that, that it is dangerous. Just because he is little does not mean anything!