Recently talking with a new-mommy, I had reason to remember the many, many baby-proofing items once utilized in my home. We had ‘em all: stair gates, door locks, drawer catches, corner pads, cord enclosures, plug-in covers, and more. I shared with this mom that as soon as it’s time to baby proof – it’s also time to baby aid your home.
What is baby aid, you say? Well….this word (that I just made up this very moment) refers to all the things you can do in your house to help your baby/child take charge of their own environment. It’s the adaptations we make to our space, so that our children can take pride in their independence, do for themselves, and practice skills that they will soon need to master.
Examples from our house include:
What is baby aid, you say? Well….this word (that I just made up this very moment) refers to all the things you can do in your house to help your baby/child take charge of their own environment. It’s the adaptations we make to our space, so that our children can take pride in their independence, do for themselves, and practice skills that they will soon need to master.
Examples from our house include:
Stepstool in the kitchen to reach the sink, countertops, freezer. (Nothing makes you smile more in summer than being able to grab your own popsicle out of the freezer.)
Stepstool in the bathroom so that children can wash their hands without assistance. (My boys have also used it to wash their toys in the sink, get a drink of water, and check out their silly, silly faces in the bathroom mirror.)
Child-friendly cups, plates, bowls, utensils stored in a lower drawer. (While Mom and Dad get dinner ready, the kids can set their place at the table – starting at age 2!)
Low level hooks in the bathroom. (After bath time kids can hang up their own towels, before heading off to find their jammies.)
Shoe cubbies near the front door. (They babies aren’t just for school. Setting up a location for shoes, coats and hats near the front door allows kids to put-away their own items when arriving and gathering these items on their own when departing.)
These are just a few ideas... For other helpful baby aids, walk around your house on your knees and consider the environment from your child’s point of view. Things really do look different from down there.