Author Topic: how to get a toddler to the bench  (Read 4296 times)

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Offline amayzie

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how to get a toddler to the bench
« on: December 31, 2012, 02:14:59 am »
I as wondering what people do to get the toddler up to the kitchen bench to help with cooking, washing up, craft ETC? I have kitchen chairs- but they are rotating and i'm worried that whatver standard chair i use he'll be able to kick over and fall back on... I like the idea of a learning tower or fun pod- but they don't sell the fun pods here and the learning towers are pretty expensive...



Katy, Mummy to Hamish!


Offline ZacsMumme

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2012, 02:17:49 am »
How handy is DH or your dad ;) maybe they could make one - DIY style :P
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Offline amayzie

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2012, 02:40:56 am »
hmm, i have considered that as i've seen a plan on pinterest- dad and DH are in no way handy- but my uncle doesn't mind a project- i could approach him for DS's birthday in may...
Katy, Mummy to Hamish!


Offline becj86

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2012, 04:04:47 am »
L just sits on the bench :P Probably not entirely the safest way to do it...

Offline ZacsMumme

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2012, 06:48:01 am »
L just sits on the bench :P Probably not entirely the safest way to do it...
Mmm I wasn't going to say anything but we do this too  :-X

Or, if I'm baking I pull out his play doh plastic mat, chuck it on the floor and we floor bake ::) ;)
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Offline clazzat

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2012, 07:25:07 am »

Offline becj86

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2012, 07:35:16 am »
See, if I got L one of those, he'd spend the entire time jumping off it ::)

Offline creations

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2012, 11:58:51 am »
Katy when I started cooking with DS I moved his toddler table into the kitchen and gave it a good wash before food contact (we use it for craft etc too).  He stood at the table whilst I went on my knees to get to his level.  I was able to move bowls or other items out of his way onto the kitchen counter top, like after he mixed one bowl I moved it away so it wasn't tipped up, then gave him the next item to do etc.
Then we moved on to using a dining chair pulled up to the kitchen unit.  A regular wooden chair.  I tell DS to drag it in from the dining room which is nice exercise for him!  I stand with him on my right side so that I can put my right arm right around him if needed, and can hand over hand with a knife or grater etc whilst knowing my arm encircles him and he isn't going to fall.
I did seriously consider buying one of those fun pods but decided against in the end and have been very happy with just the chair.  For me the important part was gradual introduction, not trying to do too much at once so that my focus was more on DS than the cooking and almost constant guidance about being careful or aware of where he was standing to keep it in his head.

We still use the toddler table for all painting and crafts.  If you don't already have a small table I think it a great investment and a long lasting item (ours is IKEA but free from the local free-cycle, good as new too!)


Offline We Three

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2012, 13:34:04 pm »
^^^ Have to agree with that. DD got her small table and chairs for her 2nd birthday, and they still get used daily at age 6. Dh and I can sit there too! We have used it for cooking in the past. I would buy plastic tablecloths, the kind you'r use for a birthday party...at the dollar store, cut them in half and cover the table if we were cooking/cutting/grating.  She often stood on a chair at the counter too, but then our chairs don't swivel like yours do. 

Offline amayzie

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2012, 13:48:25 pm »
hmm- i think people's benches are bigger than mine! Or at least not as cluttered- i don't no that i'd have room for cooking with DS sitting on it!!

I'll have a look at the stool Clazzat- i think they have them there.. hamish is a bit of a chicken so wouldn't try jumping off it!

I like the table idea- but i don't know if i have room for it at the moment.. i'll have a think about it.. just not sure where we could put it....
Katy, Mummy to Hamish!


Offline twogirlsmommy

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2012, 14:01:59 pm »
We have used step stools.  DD is super tall though so we use the one that started in the bathroom for hand washing and now it travels around our house as needed.  When she was shorter we used a 2 step step stool and did what Creations did.



Offline anna*

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2012, 14:20:35 pm »
We have the same step stool as Clare. We got it for Stan for the same reason. Audrey climbs it all. the. time. (try and stop her) and (touch wood) she's stopped falling off. It's served us really well and (bonus) means I can get stuff down from on top of cupboards.





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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2012, 14:40:23 pm »
If you have thought out space for a fun pod or learning tower then there is room for a table, there take up about the same floor space.  Our toddler table lives in the living room and I'd carry it through to the kitchen when I used it for cooking, not a big deal for us in our set up.
But if space is really tight how about a folding toddler table?
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=435756
I expect you could shop around for different styles and price ranges too.

We love our table, I really think it is so worth getting one.

Another thing I've done is used DS's play cooker as a table top to do a bit of cooking on (when it is a last minute idea or a very short session for example he loves to crack eggs but won't be staying to fry one so I let him crack into a bowl, wipe his hands and off he goes).  The hobs on the play cooker mean it is not totally flat but it still works ok and I've also popped a large chopping board or serving tray on the top to just give us a flat area.  The toy cooker is stored in the kitchen here so it is a good option for these very quick cooking activities.

Oh and I meant to say earlier.  I am very mean and don't let DS wash up.  I always seem to have too many dangerous items in that area when he wants to do it and even when I've made it all safe for him to wash up he pours water on the floor which I just can't be bothered with. So his washing up days are reserved for when he is a bit older and understands that I really don't want litres of water all over the floor.  Water play is limited to bath time for now.


Offline amayzie

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2012, 21:38:39 pm »
If you have thought out space for a fun pod or learning tower then there is room for a table,

yeah- see i haven't really thought this out...

Putting a board on the little kitchen is a nice idea in a pinch too! I'll have a look at those links...
Katy, Mummy to Hamish!


Offline *Ali*

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2012, 21:50:01 pm »
What about sitting up at your dining table?
Cadan Dec 2009 and Colby Aug 2011


Offline amayzie

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2012, 21:52:15 pm »
that's not a bad idea- i can get the high chair to go right up against that...
Katy, Mummy to Hamish!


Offline clazzat

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Re: how to get a toddler to the bench
« Reply #16 on: January 02, 2013, 13:54:35 pm »
I do quite often give e things to do to help while sitting at the dining table - which means that I don't have to deal with x trying to climb on the step and push her off!