What is a Montessori Learning Tower?
If you have ever wanted a better way to get your kiddo up to the counter than standing on an unsturdy chair or insufficient stool, the Learning Tower is your golden ticket. By offering a safe, stable, and yet adjustable platform, the Learning Tower is intended to help get children ages 18 months to 6 years old right up in the action.
What Is A Learning Tower?
A learning tower (also known as a kitchen buddy) is a step stool designed to be used in the kitchen by toddlers. Unlike a regular step stool, a learning tower has safety features that make it safer for young children who make be subject to losing their balance.
All learning towers are different, but generally, they have steps that allow the child to climb up onto the tower on their own and four-sided railings to prevent falls.
Why Are Learning Towers Recommended For Montessori Families?
The Montessori Method promotes independence in your child, and a learning tower is an excellent way to do that. With a learning tower, children are able to perform tasks in the kitchen that they wouldn’t normally be able to do until they are much older and can reach the counter. This can include getting their own snack or water, helping to prepare meals, or using the sink to wash dishes.
As you can see from the above examples, the learning tower is also great for promoting practical life skills in the kitchen (preparing food, pouring, washing, etc) which is another big part of the Montessori approach. In order to promote independence and teach practical life skills it’s important that the child has access to everything at his/her level per the Montessori way – but at home that’s often tough, which is why a learning tower is recommended.
