Category: <span>Furniture</span>

If you've been following along with my most recent posts, you will have noticed that we've been talking a lot about Montessori in the home. While we've explored every room in detail, there is one furniture piece we haven't given enough credit to... And they're truly deserving of their own article! Cue the Learning Tower! I first mentioned these in my article "Montessori-Friendly Kitchen Tips For Parents & Educators". Since kitchens are generally designed to be used by adults, young children may struggle to feel included and independent in the kitchen. Think about it from a toddler's perspective - Rather than seeing all of the exciting things going on, like how their favorite meals are prepared, they're seeing the underside of counters and constantly having to ask to be picked up to participate. For this, kitchen towers offer a great solution! They bring your little ones up to be level with the counter... Which greatly increases their independence and lets them participate in whatever you're up to in the kitchen. Now they can enjoy a whole new world of learning opportunities like learning to cook, bake, and do kitchen duties like washing fruits/veg and dishes! Learning Towers Let's go over some of the most popular questions when it comes to Learning Towers before getting into their pros and cons: What Is A Learning Tower? I like to think of learning towers as an upgraded kitchen stool... One that keeps your little one protected while letting them explore all that a kitchen has to offer. Usually consisting of just a few steps, three solid sides, and a bar on the back to keep your little one safe, they're pretty simple, too! They also let your little one safely enjoy all of the exciting things happening in the kitchen while being able to spend quality time with the family. A learning tower is also highly empowering! Your child can help out with age-appropriate tasks all by themselves! This is great for their self-confidence and will enable them to help out in ways they couldn't before. Which Age Is Appropriate For A Learning Tower? Whatever age you're comfortable with! (I know, I know... Helpful, right?) Essentially, if your child can safely climb stairs, then they will likely be able to use a learning tower as well. There is, however, a reason why they're sometimes called "Toddler Towers". It is at this age that your child is both naturally curious and able to be hands-on in the kitchen, making the toddler years the best time to have these in your space. Manufacturers do state on their product is built for children aged 18m+, though, so keep this in mind while shopping! Also, don't get too attached to the "Toddler Tower" name - Because your child may enjoy them so much that they want to use them until they're school-aged too! 4-year-olds and up may begin to feel confined in the versions used by toddlers though, meaning that you may need to look into finding a more open design. What Are Learning Towers Used for? Learning Towers are great for so many things - Aside from the things I already mentioned, toddlers can also enjoy eating while standing, during craft time, or whatever else you can think of! Lots of kids love to "wash" dishes and clean the fruits and veggies off in the sink, too. I put "wash" in quotations because in my experience this usually means playing in the bubbles and filling cups/pouring them out over and over... Which is great! Even if the counters and floors need a quick wipe after, your toddlers will both love and benefit from water play, which is good for their sensory and motor skill development. Do We Need One? Personally, I can't think of many homes that wouldn't benefit from one of these! Not only are they a staple in Montessori Kitchens, but children both love them and learn in them. You may be wondering what the downsides are to these towers, and rightly so! I've definitely made learning towers sound like an essential piece of any child-friendly kitchen. In the interest of being transparent, though, let's touch on the downsides... Cons of Learning Towers: Really, they're pretty great all around. But, there are a few issues that you'll have to be willing/able to work around if you want to try them out yourselves. Price: If you've already been looking at them online, you've probably noticed the hefty price tags that are usually attached. While the pricey ones are usually beautifully crafted and come with all kinds of attachments, there are also some great budget friendly options too. Here's one from amazon for $190.00 (and made in Canada!)This one by Wood and Room UA also doubles as a table, and still only costs $145!To cut cost you could also build your own, for which you can buy plans to like this one from Bailey Creative for just $12Size: They're definitely not something that can be easily tucked away when company comes. If you're limited on space, then this may be a barrier for you! One thing to consider here, though, is that you can get them in many different styles and sizes! It may be easier than you think to find one that fits your décorClimbing: Access to the counter can be pretty tempting for toddlers! You're introducing them to a whole new world - They're going to want to explore it That's why it's super important to set boundaries with your child when you introduce them to this. Explain safety, like not rocking or tipping the tower, and why they will need to keep their feet planted on the stoolExplain to them that you don't want them climbing on the counters and whyIf it's because they want an item out of reach, take this opportunity to remind them to ask politely! A few gentle reminders will go a long ways