Anyone with a toddler has surely experienced their small, but strong will of independence. In our home, when M2 began to crawl, we made a point to put things at his level for him to explore and play with on his own. A basket with rattles and wooden noise maker toys over here on the floor, favorite books in his lowest cubby, a basket in the bottom kitchen cabinet with kitchen gadgets (spoons, measuring cups, funnel…) safe for playing with, etc. Now that he is a toddler, with this ever growing independent spirit, I am finding that I am needing to constantly adapt items and certain areas of our home to make it more accessible for our little guy.
"Help me to do it alone." ~ Maria Monessori
That above quote rings so true for toddlers. Their life skills and independence are quickly developing right now and as parents we certainly want to foster that growth! I know I’m not the only one who watches in awe when their little one helps themselves or overcomes a challenge with that sweet, determined face. What a learning experience for them! Below are two photos of two recent areas in our home that I have adapted to be more “toddler accessible” on M2’s level.
The bottom kitchen cabinet (which once held his basket of kitchen gadgets) has evolved into a sort-of self help snack area. He has access to his snack bowls, jars of whatever snack foods I have placed inside, and cups for drinks. M2 does need assistance in unscrewing the jars on the lids, but he is able to make his own choices and practice pouring into his snack bowls. By needing help with the jars, it keeps me aware of how much he is “snacking” and I can have him choose a fresh snack from the fridge to go along with the one he has chosen from the cabinet. For meals, I ask him to get a plate and utensils from under there to go place on the table. The basket in the back holds magnetic letters and another kitchen activity he can busy himself with while I’m cooking if he chooses to do so. M2 has certainly enjoyed this newly adapted space just for him!  |
| Still working on making this area more visually appealing, for now though, it serves its purpose! |
A second area I recently changed due to M2’s increasing interest in clothes and the need to clean out his dresser to make way for the clothes of his soon-to-be little sister (more on sibling room sharing soon!) was the closet. Our home is small, and over 70 years old, resulting in only three closets of a very small size. M2’s closet had become our “everything” closet with board games, winter coats, baby items, etc and it was not functional at all! In the photo you will see we not only cleaned it out, but made it a closet just for him with labels and all ;) He has bins for socks and underwear, pajamas, and pants. His shirts hang at his level making it easy for him to choose what he’d like to wear (and organizing by color has him learning!). There is a small basket for his dirty clothes and a little mirror on the wall too, because what kid doesn’t like to look at themselves? The bag underneath his shirts holds all toys with wheels, as at the moment I’m not sure where to put them, but at least they have a place! Same with the puzzles… not ideal but it works for right now. The top rack is where I plan to hang coats and “dressier” clothes worn by he and his sister. As M2 learns to dress and undress himself, I know his closet will see even more use. He did let out a little “oooh wow” when he saw it completed for the first time. Simple, cheap, and very toddler accessible!
What areas in your home have you adapted to meet the needs of your little one?
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