The Learning Tower is a proposal that is increasingly footed in Italy and that begins to interest many families. Let’s discover together the functions, the advantages and also the differences with the classic and simple stool
There Learning Tower It has become famous in America, Canada and in the countries of northern Europe and slowly It is also spreading in Italy. In our country this proposal begins to be known with different appellations such as: learning tower, Torretta Montessori, Kitchen Helper, as well as Learning Tower.
But what is it is What is this tool for? Is there an age in which it is better to propose it to the child or the girl? Let’s discover the Learning Tower and understand how it can be useful for the little ones.
What is Learning Tower?
The Learning Tower is a structure, usually in wood, made up of a stool with two steps, secured on 4 sides by a sort of parapet, which should prevent the child from falling. The turret was designed to give the little one or the little girl of reachin front of a table or a sink, The level of the adult and thus participating in the activities of the family who are taking place.
In Italy the Learning Tower is also known as Montessorian learning toweralthough in reality it does not belong to this pedagogy which on the contrary provides for an environment to measure and at the height of child. For Maria Montessori it is in fact the adult ad Lower to the little level of the baby and to observe the world according to his perspective, organizing and building an environment suitable for him, and not vice versa.
If the child is to rise to the level of the adult, this should be possible with A chair or stool Classic and the child should be able to master these tools autonomously and confidently.
What is the Learning Tower for and what can be done
The Learning Tower was therefore born to allow the child to go up to the adult work plan, in order to observe and collaborate With him in daily works (cooking, washing, tidying up). This tool can therefore be an excellent proposal for those who want to collaborate the boy or girl to daily activities. Thanks to the Learning Tower, the little one or the little girl will be able to help parents in the kitchen, observing the various stages of preparation of food, giving its contribution where possible and parents for their part will be calm in knowing the child in one Content space.
From what age Can Learning Tower be proposed? It can usually be presented Starting from 18 monthsor in any case when the child has reached a certain autonomy in the erect position and will be able to climb. Learning Tower can be used up to 3 yearseven if many children continue to use it longer. The age of use of the Learning Tower will depend a lot on the child himself, on his skills and skills, so it is not useful to set a net age limit.
Learning Tower or stool?
For some children the Learning Tower it is not so functional and practical As it might seem, and they prefer the simple stool, easier to move and climb. In these cases it will be the parent, based on the specificity of their family, to establish what is most suitable for one’s life context.
A footstool Without a doubt it allows the child to move more autonomy within the house, but the risk of falling At the beginning it can be greater than the learning tower, which however requires, at first, of the adult intervention. In fact, not all children are immediately able to climb the turret, pass under the safety bar and stand up, many need time to learn the movements and often can happen that for comfort both the parent to put the child in the turret, depriving him of the satisfaction of achieving the result.
At this point we could therefore ask ourselves if the Learning Tower really favors the autonomy of the child or instead there is no obstacle. As we said, the choice of the tool is up to the parent, but we can recognize a practical function to the turret, since it is sufficient to move it when the adult wants to involve the child in daily activities, but has no time to set up spaces. In this case the turret will be very useful and above all practical.
However, it should not be forgotten that this remains one secondary solution Compared to the preparation of a low table where the child can work in a space designed for him. Up to 6 years, but also subsequently, children need both a time when independently that of a moment in which to learn new skills, observing and working together with the parent. The Learning Tower can be useful in this second case, but does not replace it at the time of autonomous learning of the baby or small.
How to choose a Learning Tower?
If you decide to buy a Learning Tower, it will be good to examine some characteristicssince there are numerous very different models on the market. In this case, the aspects to be considered in the choice are:
- Material: The turret should be in wood, not toxic, light, stable and durable.
- Weight: The Learning Tower should also be easy to move for the boy or girl and at the same time stable. Usually the weight of a tower can vary from 5 kg to 10 kg. In this case it will be good to evaluate the type of movement you can do at home, choosing a lighter version for great movements.
- Height: the height varies from 70 to 125 cm, but some models allow you to adjust the height over time, moving screws and support axes. A good height provides that the upper part of the tower is between the child’s navel and its ribs.
- Size: It is good to check the space in which you intend to place the turret. On the market you can find fixed models and models foldingbut there are also proposals that can then be transformed into other furniture, such as tables or stools.
- Safety: There are different levels of security, but this means that there are also different levels of autonomy. So if a completely closed platform can be excellent For the tranquility of a parent, it is to be considered, however, that it limits a child’s ability to go up and down. At the time of purchase, pay attention to the screws (must be well covered), to the corners (they must not be angular), the well planed wood and the non -toxic finish.
- Ability of the child: The Learning Tower should be able not only to meet the current needs of the child, but also future ones. When choosing a model it is therefore good to also consider the skills that the boy or girl will develop in the next two years.
The Learning Tower can also be built independentlythus reducing purchase costs. Online there are various tutorials that explain how to make a do-it-yourself, for example by assembling two furniture for sale by Ikea.
If you decide to buy a Learning Tower, it must be specified that, despite being equipped with safety supports, in no way the child can be left alone on it without the Supervision of the adult. In addition, it is always necessary to pay attention to the objects to which the child has access when he is in the learning tower.