Stepping Stools To Reach Hard To Get Places

Elderly Step Stools

Published on September 6th, 2020.

Even though you may be getting on in years, you are bound to need to change light bulbs in ceiling fixtures, or climb to reach upper level cabinets in your kitchen. Needless to say, if you are concerned about falling, the last thing you will want to do is use a ladder. On the other hand, dragging heavy chairs from one room to another can cause the chair’s legs to become weak, as well as put additional stress on your back and shoulder joints. Fortunately, stepping stools tend to be inexpensive and lightweight.

If you are interested in buying stepping stools, you will be well served by choosing ones that have anti-skid steps. You should also make sure that the stool in question is strong enough to hold your weight. While you may be able to find plastic stepping stools that will suit your needs, it may be of some help to consider buying metal ones. Take your time and choose one that meets your expectations.

Many people today buy stools with wheels on the bottom. While this may make it easier to move the stool from one place to another, it can also pose a hazard if you tend to have difficulty balancing. You may also find that excessively tall stools will tip over if you try to reach too far in any given direction. While it may take a bit of extra effort to find a stepping stool that will suit all of your needs, at least it will help you stay independent for a good bit longer.

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Wood Stepping Stools Can Be Functional And Funtastic!

Published on September 6th, 2020.

If you’re making a play room for your toddlers, then you should consider getting wooden stepping stools. First, it adds to the ambiance of the room. While it’s true that the toys will be the center of activity inside the play room, putting them will also add to the fun environment of the room. But of course, don’t just buy any stepping stools.

The first thing that you should consider is the safety. Your toddlers will do a lot of things with it. They will step and sit on it and a lot of other things that you’ll be surprised to see. So first and foremost, they should be sturdy enough to support your kid’s weight. Being kids, they’re not going to consider the durability of what they’re stepping on. As a parent, it’s your job to make sure that they’ll be safe and wooden stepp stools are the answer. Sure, metal is probably more durable. But safety wise, wood is safer because they don’t have any sharp edges and they’re lighter compared to metal.

Another thing that you should consider is stability. Obviously, a three-legged stool is out of the question. Buy one that doesn’t tip over when someone is standing on it. Stay away from rickety stools because you’ll never know when they’re going to give in. This is the reason why you should buy one that is designed for kids to make sure that it’s designed with stability and durability in mind.

But to add to the fun environment of your toddler’s play room, they should also be fun. In the past, it’s hard to use fun and wooden step stools in the same sentence. But nowadays, there are a lot of models with your kid’s entertainment in mind. As an example, you can buy personalized ones. There are also a lot of fun designs. They come in different shapes and colors. There are even some models with animals painted on them. Your kids will surely love to have them in their rooms.

There are even some toys that come with one and this encourages play time and activity. A learning tower is a good example because it encourages activity between parents and their toddler. It’s an activity table with a height that is just right for parents. For their kid, it comes with a sturdy stepping stool so your kid can do activities with you. It’s a safe and fun way to bond for hours. Just imagine all kinds of activities that you can do with it.

You can also buy wooden stepping stools for their bedrooms. Place it beside the bed so your kid can easily climb in. This just shows their versatility. It’s highly functional and fun at the same time. So it really is a must that you buy them for your toddler.

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Stepping Stools Are Useful

Published on September 6th, 2020.

There are many stool designs which are considered stylish. But there is one simple design that can be the ultimate symbol of style. Picture a tavern, which is the look that has been taken up by a modern bar. The woodwork on the table, and the shelves behind with all the drinks kept neatly. Picture also the kegs from which drinks are poured into the glasses. Now picture yourself with a large glass of lime soda, brimming with ice. This is the environment that is full of polished woodwork in chocolate brown and you have been asked on a high bar stool made of wood, which has a small back rest and wide armrests. This is high enough for anyone but you just climb the steps and sit on the comfortable large seat on the top, with the elevation making you feel good and the cool drink in your hand nourishing your relaxation. No more hunching on bucket seats when you can let your legs hang and rest on the steps of the stepping stool.

This is just one of the amazing feels that you get out of sitting on a high stepping stool, just because you have not been habitual of sitting on something so high. Even so occasionally, the stepping stools are considered items great in demand and considered to be stylish too, especially if they are made in wood. There are stepping stools that are made in log design which are hand crafted by the best of craftsmen. Wood from the pine trees is hand peeled and then these logs are cut out to be assembled together to form some of the most fine specimens in stepping stools. These furniture items are the ones which have been designed as items in wood work for sheer style.

Consider a basic stepping stool made in metal. It is a design that is also considered a utility that can be used as a ladder to stow things away on the top of the armoire or just to clean the ceiling lamps easily. Of course they are not that high but certainly more elevated than normal.

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Wooden Step Stools From Trusted and Safe Brands

Published on February 11th, 2011.

Wooden step stools are very important for bedrooms and playrooms of kids. They may look simple but they offer countless of benefits. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that they’re only used as stepping stools While they do a great job at that, they’re much more than that.

They can easily light up any room with their great designs. Parents nowadays make an effort to make sure that their kids’ bedrooms and playrooms will be fun and entertaining. Of course, a good way to do this is to design the room to improve the ambiance and the environment. Usually, it’s the furniture’s job to do this. While toys will provide fun and entertainment, it’s the furniture like wooden stepping stools that can improve the ambiance and the environment.

Things are easier nowadays because of the wide variety of designs. It doesn’t matter if you have a theme in mind for your kid’s bedroom or playroom. You’ll surely find designs that will be perfect for the room. A good way to start is to choose the design depending on your kid’s gender. You’ll find a lot of designs for boys and for girls.

But of course, the design is not your only consideration. You also have to consider the fact that the wooden stepping stools are going to be used a lot of times. They’re going to be used while learning and playing. This is especially true for a learning tower which is one of the most versatile kids’ furniture around.

This is where quality matters. Your kid won’t have any use for a broken stepping stool even if it has great designs. In fact, it’s dangerous especially if it breaks down while your kid is using it. Generally speaking, wooden step stools are durable since they’re made of wood. But since it’s your kid that will be exposed to them, it doesn’t hurt to be more certain.

This is why you should go for trusted and safe brands when buying wooden stepping stools First of all, they carry the best available designs and there are a lot to choose from. This can help ensure that your kid will have furniture that can improve the ambiance and environment. In fact, you can even have them personalized to take them to the next level.

But more importantly, your kid will be safe as he enjoys the benefits of wooden stepping stools They’re made with your kid’s safety in mind and this is the reason why they’re trusted by a lot of parents. The quality is top notch and that can help your kid have a fun and safe time while he’s enjoying the benefits offered by this versatile kids’ furniture.

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Checklist For Child Safety Proofing Your Home – Keeping Your Active Baby Or Toddler Safe!

Published on February 11th, 2011.

All babies begin crawling or become mobile according to their own time frame, but generally this happens between 6 and 10 months of age. Therefore, it is critical to prepare your house for this event to ensure your child’s safety!

Below is a Home Safety Checklist that will help you go room by room in your home and look for potential child safety hazards.

Edge & Corner Protection – Every room in the house should be checked for sharp edges and corners. These objects should be removed or covered with edge and corner cushions or bumpers. Coffee tables, end tables, and fireplace hearths are the typical items to consider. Other household items to check for sharp edges in your safety inspection are desks, entertainment centers, shelves, cabinets, window sills, stone or marble stairs, statues or other decoration pieces.

Stairway Protection – All stairways that your baby could potentially have access to should have stairway safety gates. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign (NSKC), Falls Fact Sheet, 2004, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury for children. Children ages 14 and under account for one-third of all fall-related visits to hospital emergency rooms. Because falls are associated with a child’s curiosity and development of motor skills, babies and toddlers are at the greatest risk of fall-related death and injury. Children ages 5 and under accounted for nearly half of the fall related emergency room injuries cited above. Please do not let your child become one of these statistics. Research and install stairway safety gates. Also examine the slats in your stairways and banister to determine if banister guard is needed.

Choking and Ingestion Hazards - Now that your child is or about to become mobile, check your home for small objects that could potentially be within your child’s reach such as small marbles or stones that are often used as decoration around candles or other coffee table center pieces. As part of normal development, babies learn by putting things in their mouth. Remove glass or other breakable/valuable objects. Set dog and cat food out of reach. Use extreme caution and do your research on chemicals if you have your home exterminated or use chemical products to clean (consider organic, non toxic products). Babies and toddlers crawl around on the floor and often but their hands and objects in their mouth. In most cases this also helps them build their immune system, but we have to do our part to keep them safe from serious injury. Check all floor level cabinets for cleaning products, medicine, makeup, alcohols, Ect. and move them to a top cabinet or install safety latches or cabinet sliding locks.

Falling Furniture – Check your home for large items that could fall over and bolt them to the wall. Too many child injuries have occurred due to televisions, entertainment centers, and bookshelves falling over on children. Toddlers like to climb! Additional things to consider as potential falling hazards are computer monitors, large vases, plant stands, and dressers.

Kitchen Safety – As stated earlier ensure that cleaning/chemical products are in a locked cupboard or placed well out of reach. Consider installing a stove guard to prevent burns or a child playing with the knobs and turning the gas on. Move kitchen knife racks well out of reach. Toddlers enjoy helping out in the kitchen and it is important to their developmental growth and independence to do things for themselves, but standing on chairs and step stools can also become a fall hazard. Consider investing in a stepping stool with side rails such as the Learning Tower. Children should always be well monitored while standing on stepping stools or chairs.

Electrical Hazards – All unused electrical outlets should have outlet plug covers and cords should be placed out of the way as much as possible. In bathrooms, never leave blow dryers or other electrical items plugged in and unattended near the sink or bath tub.

Windows & Shade Cords – For homes that are two stories or have high windows consider installing window guards if you frequently open your windows. This is especially important in a child’s room. Shade cords should be tied up and out of reach of children. For some reason these cords tend to attract children’s’ attention as a play item and can be extremely dangerous if the cord gets wrapped around them.

As well as child proofing your home, child safety gates are an ideal way to keep your child contained and safe. As a mother of two children, I know how quickly a child can crawl or run if you turn your back for a minute to attend to house hold chores. Give yourself that piece of mind knowing that your child is learning by exploring his world, but contained to safe areas of your home!

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Levels of Discovery Princess Toy Box Bench

Published on February 10th, 2011.

Nearly all little girls are fascinated with princesses and dream of living in their own castle, surrounded by beautiful dresses and furniture. For the little princess who has everything, the Levels of Discovery Princess collection consists of a table and chair set, a rocker, a revolving bookcase, a vanity table and chair set, a rocking horse and other accessories for the playroom or bedroom.

The Princess Toy Box Bench is the perfect solution for storing all of your princess’s royal treasures. Built to look just like a real “princess” throne, your little one will be thrilled with this addition to her playroom. From the “Always a Princess” collection by Levels of Discovery, this adorable toy chest will turn her bedroom into a royal palace. And with its comfy padded seat, her toy chest doubles as a place to snuggle up with a good book.

Features:

• Bench seat that opens for easy storage;
• Removable seat cushion with purple upholstery and gold tassels;
• Hand painted in cream, pink and purple, with gold lettering;
• Seat holds up to 100 pounds
• Matches all other Levels of Discovery “Always a Princess” furniture and accessories;
• Some assembly required.

Dimensions after assembly – 32″ L X 13″ W X 28″ H

Safety: The Princess toy box bench is manufactured with a slow-closing safety hinge that prevents the cover from closing suddenly and causing injury.

Commendations: The Levels of Discovery Princess Toy Box Bench has been awarded the “Baby & Children’s Product News 1st Place Winner in Toy Chest Category”

Age Recommendations: The Levels of Discovery Princess Toy Box Bench is recommended for children age three to eight.

Where to find:

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Cooking With Your Kids – Fun Ideas and Tips

Published on February 10th, 2011.

Cooking is much more enjoyable when you have your children around you. Making them a part of things in the kitchen is so very important. There’s just something very special about having your kids share in transforming favorite dishes into delightful, edible creations.

Younger children will be more eager to help you with preparing the family meals than the older ones, unless you have been involving your kids in the cooking activities from an early age…which is encouraged.

Let’s face it, what busy Mom couldn’t use a couple of extra set of hands in the kitchen? Special treats like chocolate chip cookies, rice crispy treats, and double-layer chocolate cake seems to magically turn out more delicious on the pallet when prepared by you and your children.

Below are some fun ideas to help encourage your children to want to help you in preparing daily meals and other special treasures. Get your children involved!

* If you have more than one child, give each child their very own special kitchen chore such as cleaning off the table, setting the table, or gathering ingredients.

* Younger children do better with one-step, uncomplicated chores

* Provide each child with their very own step stool high enough to reach the counter or table

* Purchase a small chef’s hat for each child (preferably with their name on it). Your children will really appreciate this and it will also help make them feel that they are a part of things and special.

* Purchase individual cooking tools such as brightly-colored, plastic utensils for measuring and mixing ingredients. Choose different colors for each child. This will help prevent fighting.

Take your children with you when you go to purchase these tools. Make it a fun outing and maybe go out for lunch afterwards.

* Prepare finger foods such as chicken nuggets. These are always a big hit with children. Make it a habit of always keeping a few batches in the freezer. Foods on a stick such as various types of skewers are also popular with kids as well as homemade pizza. Homemade pizza can be lots of fun using lots of variations of toppings and cheeses. Try and be creative and prepare fun foods that you think your children will find enjoyable.

* Assign each child clean-up tasks. A good idea for cleaning up the kitchen is using sticker charts. Make up a chart with each child’s name and chore. If your children does their special clean-up chore (without complaining or whining), award them with a special sticker. Make a sticker chart up for each day of the week.

Using the tips above will surely aid in getting your kids into the kitchen and happily helping you. Sharing cooking and baking activities will prove to be fun and rewarding for both parent and child. Plus, it’s a great learning experience for your children.

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The Benefits of Cooking With Kids

Published on February 10th, 2011.

Cooking is a valuable life skill that helps kids to develop their independence. Cooking can also help boost kids’ confidence as they spend quality time with you while contributing something the whole family can enjoy. Cooking activities are a great way for kids to express themselves and enjoy their creations. Parents often are in search of creative activities for their children, sometimes simply to distract them from video games or the TV, and cooking fits that niche admirably. Cooking together is a great way to have fun and share some productive time and experience with your kids. Working in the kitchen can also lead to important discussions about health and safety, which should always be addressed before cooking with kids.

Most kids are interested in learning some basic cooking skills. Parents can help encourage this interest by taking the time to cook with their kids on a regular basis. Start small when cooking with kids. It is important to start with a recipe that does not require extensive preparation. Something simple such as scrambled eggs or cinnamon toast provides an immediate result and a high success rate, which is important for building confidence in kids. Cook with your kids when you know you will not be pressed for time or preoccupied by another responsibility in order to be able to give your kids your undivided attention while you are cooking and focus on enjoying the time you have together. With a little grown-up ingenuity and childlike creativity, you can help your kids eat healthy, avoid the junk-food dinner trap and engage with you in the kitchen with fun, age-appropriate activities.

Here are some tips for having fun, helping kids learn, and staying safe while you’re cooking:

-Take your Time. Cooking with kids is more about the process and less about the end result.

-Start slow and simple: Provide your child with safe opportunities to spread sauces, butters, or frosting with blunt knives, then move up to cutting as he matures.

-Make it fun. Cooking should be an enjoyable experience. It should be fun to work together in the kitchen, and your kids will surprise you by eating their own creations — even vegetables. Kids often will try unfamiliar foods, including vegetables and fruits, when they transform them into personal “creations” like a funny face pizza or a fruit kabob. To the kids, it will seem like fun, but there are other benefits to this time together: Preschoolers see how the dishes they eat are put together – and they get hands-on experience, which is a great way to learn and feel like they are helping out. You don’t have to be a skilled chef to have fun in the kitchen; simple recipes abound, from cooking instant oatmeal to building a sandwich to making fruit salad.

-Take time to explain the process, talk about ingredients, etc. Remember that one of the most important elements when using cooking as your learning tool is to be as talkative and descriptive as possible, especially with younger children. This can be a good time to teach children about color, because foods come in all sorts of different colors. You can also teach your children about shapes… This is especially fun when baking cookies, but can be used with pretty much any recipe. Some other things your child can learn while cooking might be textures, temperature, and measurements.

-Offer them experiences such as: rolling bananas in cereal for a snack, juicing oranges, lemons, and limes, and mashing soft fruits and vegetables

-Kids can help measure ingredients and pour them into a bowl, stir the ingredients together and add to a baking pan, skillet or pot. You can let your child pull cookie dough apart and press onto a baking sheet.

-For younger kids, consider starting with simple dishes with fewer than five ingredients.

-Small kids can use a step stool to be able to work more comfortably on the counter

-Older kids can be taught how to crack eggs or measure ingredients, grind cooked meat for a meat spread, or beat eggs with an eggbeater

-Keep it safe. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and baking soda next to the stove to douse any fires, and consider storing a first-aid kit nearby for quick treatment of minor accidents.

-Good cooks of all ages always wash their hands before cooking. Don’t forget to educate him on the dangers of eating raw foods like eggs and meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Cooking with kids does require a little bit of extra time, effort, and patience but it can be good learning experience for kids and enjoyable for everyone. Cooking with kids can be a way to create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

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Is Your Home Fall Proof?

Published on February 9th, 2011.

Family safety is more than just preventing against fire and crime. Everyday situations can affect your safety. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death among children. Elderly people as well are very susceptible to injury from falling, but everyone can gain from a fall proof home.

Windows and Balconies

Children are explorers by nature and are often tempted to climb up to windows and balcony guardrails to see what’s going on outside. A fall can happen in an instant. Never leave children unattended on a balcony or near an open window.

Some bi-laws require apartment windows to have mechanical safety devices that prevent them from being open more than a few inches. In most cases window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls by even the smallest child.

Checklist:

• Remove anything climbable away from all windows and balconies. This may include, cribs, beds, chairs, furniture or even stuffed animals.
• Ensure that everyone in your apartment knows that window screens cannot prevent a fall.
• Place childproof locks on exits to balconies and windows.
• Consider the use of a child safety beam alarm

Preventing Falls throughout the home

Windows and Balconies aren’t the only fall hazards in a home. Slippery outside steps and indoor floors, poorly lit stairs, and clutter are responsible for a vast number of falls each year. Each of these problems is easily preventable.

Checklist:

• Don’t use throw or scatter rugs on hard surfaces without a slip resistant underlay.
• Consider night lights in hallways or a glow in the dark light switch plate.
• Keep all floors free from clutter and spills.
• Reduce the need fro a step stool by storing heavier items on lower shelves and frequently used items within arm length
• Make sure all stepping stools have a safety handle and rubber tipped feet.
• Repair all damaged floor surfaces like bent vinyl tiles, chipped ceramic, or wrinkled carpet to prevent tripping.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and beside the tub.
• Consider the use of grab bars, and a bath step stool or bench in the bathroom
• Consider adding a strip along the edge of each house step in a contrasting color for ease of use.
• Always close all file cabinets and drawers
• Cover all cables that cross walkways.
• Replace all used light bulbs and faulty switches.
• If you use floor wax in the kitchen make sure it is the non-skid kind.
• If you wear reading glasses, make sure you remove them before going up or down stairs.
• Keep a flashlight and fresh batteries in a safe convenient place in case there is a power failure

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10 Simple Changes For Your Home To Increase Your Toddler’s Confidence And Independence

Published on February 9th, 2011.

One of the greatest gifts my husband and I gave ourselves was enrolling our children in a Montessori school while they were toddlers. We quickly learned that even as young as 14 months, children are capable of learning how to care for themselves and be an active participant in family life. In fact, they may even express in words and actions, “Help me do it by myself!”

By adapting our household environment to meet our oldest son’s needs, we noticed that he was more content and acted out less. We also benefitted because our son progressively became more self-sufficient in the home.

Here is a list of 10 simple changes you can make in your home to support your toddler’s independence.

1. Liqht switch extenders

Install a few of these in your home to enable your child to turn on the light in the rooms he has access to. We ones we purchased were made from clear plastic, so it was not an eyesore in the home. At first your child may be so excited that he will want to practice turning the lights on and off. A LOT. This will pass.

2. A low cabinet in the kitchen filled with a few cups, plates and silverware

Provide your child with some easy-to-open containers with ready-made snacks that can be stored on a lower shelf in the pantry or the refrigerator, and a small pitcher filled with juice or water. Your child will be able to serve himself. Be sure to show him how to clean up after himself. In our household we started using cloth napkins. Children at this age love to fold, so teach him how to fold and put away napkins.

3. Low shelves and book baskets in the bedroom and living areas

Place just a few toys and puzzles on each shelf. Corral toys with several pieces in attractive containers or baskets. Encourage your child to play with one toy at a time and to return that toy before selecting another. Keep other toys stored away, and rotate them every few weeks.

Instill a love of books by storing books in baskets throughout your home. Children of this age enjoy flipping through books about what they see in the world. Give them a rich variety of books with photographs and real-to-life illustrations of animals, insects, plants and people.

4. Child-size tables and chairs in the kitchen, common areas and bedroom

Once your child has prepared his snack or chosen a puzzle, he’ll have a place to eat or play. We purchased unfinished wooden table tops and legs from a home improvement store and painted them to match our décor. The legs come in various sizes, so it was easy to replace just the table legs as our children grew. Unfinished children’s chairs can be found at craft stores. If they are too tall for the child, cut the legs to accommodate the child’s size.

5. Stools in the bathrooms to climb up to the toilet and reach the sink.

Opt for either a flip top toilet seat or a child seat that fits on a standard toilet and provide a step stool for your child to reach the toilet. This step stool can also help your child reach the sink and countertop. Store your child’s toothpaste and toothbrush, and hairbrush within arm’s reach.

6. A taller stepping stool or Learning Tower for the kitchen

For the littlest ones, a Learning Tower is a safe choice because the child is surrounded on all sides. As they get older, however, a taller, foldable step stool is fine. Toddlers love to play with water at the kitchen sink and help with meal preparation.

7. Child-size tools for home and garden

Children find great satisfaction when they participate in caring for the home and garden. Give them a child-size broom, mop and a small dustpan and brush. Home improvement stores often have small brooms and inexpensive metal pails. The pole of a Swiffer is adjustable and can be made to just the right size for your child. On a small shelf, provide a handled basket with a spray-bottle of water, a squeegee and a small washcloth for window washing. Cut sponges in half to easily fit in a child’s hand, and keep a basket of small washcloths in the kitchen to encourage your child to wipe up spills.

Garden tools and gloves for children are often available at Target in the Spring. Keep a selection of small vases on hand for children to pick and arrange flowers. See the resources section below for links to websites that sell child-sized products that you’re unable to find locally.

8. Double Hang Closet Rod

Allow your child to select his own clothes by providing him with a closet rod he can reach. Give him clothing that is easy to pull on and off, with easy-to-use snaps, buttons or velcro. Place a small clothes hamper in his closet for dirty clothes. Encourage him to help with the laundry by asking him to carry his soiled clothes to the washer and carry clean clothes on hangers to put away in his closet.

9. Hooks installed at your child’s height

Install hooks by the front and back doors so your child can hang his own coat. Hooks in the bathroom allow the child to hang up his bath towel.

10. Small hamper and extra clothes in ALL bathrooms during potty training

In some Montessori toddler classrooms, “toileting” starts from day 1, where children wear cotton training pants instead of diapers. To support this transition at home, we kept changes of clothes and a basket for soiled clothes in every bathroom. Whenever our children had an “accident”, they knew they could go to any bathroom in the house and change their own clothes. This method of potty training was very effective for our kids, who were both out of diapers before they were two years old.

Adapting your home environment to support your child’s development and independence is easy to do and will also support YOU. Children are more capable than most adults give them credit for, and changing the environment to fit their size and needs will empower them in their growth. As you begin to see what your child is capable of doing and notice the pride and joy in your child as he accomplishes tasks in his daily life, you will find enjoyment in having him help you around your home and discover more ways to adapt your surroundings to support his drive to know and learn how to “do it himself”.

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