Up We Go Together!

Materials You Need: None

What You Can Do Together: At this age, your child may be eager to try to go up and down stairs (your home may not have stairs, but perhaps there is a place outside your home where you can help your child practice). Be sure to stay with your child as she tries to go up or down. Your child might crawl at first and then try standing up while holding on to your hand or a stair rail. Encourage your child, perhaps with a song or chant: “Up we go together!  Papa/Mama and [child’s name] are climbing the stairs. Up we go together! Step and up! Step and up!” 

What Your Child is Learning: Your child is learning to coordinate the movements of her legs and feet to successfully master a new physical challenge. If you add some counting to your song or chant (“One big step! Two big steps!” Etc.), you’ll also support her early mathematical development.