Side Up Your Toddler's Tower
When it comes to toddler towers, one of the crucial factors that sets them apart is the type of protection they offer on the sides. There is a plethora of options available on the market, and we will explore the various types shortly. But first, let's establish some terminology:
Front side - The section that sits flush against the kitchen counter
Back side - The portion where the child typically climbs up
Left & Right sides - The components that render towers safer than step stools
Let's focus on front and back protection*
Certain towers have four enclosed wooden sides. This design may be suitable for very young children, but it hinders toddlers from climbing up on their own.
Let's examine some Montessori-aligned options that enable the child to climb up and use the tower independently.
At the back, most towers have a step and an upper guard rail, which suffices if the child is aware that leaning backward is not an option, especially when bending down to retrieve something from the base. However, for your toddler's safety and your peace of mind, you may want to consider additional back protection, such as a net, extra bars, a retractable board, a door, or similar features.
At the front, an upper guard rail is enough when the tower sits flush against the counter. Still, it's not the best alternative if there is an open space where the toddler could slip. You may prefer a tower with a full board at the front, a net, vertical slats, or other similar features.
Regarding the left and right sides, you don't want anything that could turn the tower into a climbing aid that enables your child to reach the top of the kitchen counter. Avoid features such as shapes that can function as footholds, horizontal slats, or large spaces where they could fall out.
Now that we've covered the basics of what to look for and how to choose, we'll delve into the special features of towers in the next article.
*Every now and then, you will see customers’ images of a tower that is wrongly positioned with the step toward the counter. Please don’t be one of those. See correct position in the image below.
