when could your child use a slide completely unassisted?

[Tanikins]

Just wondered when this was done as in:
- climb steps
- get legs from under so sat properly
- slide down

My son has been able to for a while say from 19 months. A friends brothers oh has a 3 year old and has told my friend that ive blatently not plaley with my child (been a lazy parent). And this is the only reason he can do this, as he would get to play with it otherwise

My lb has a hlfsis (6), hlfbro (4) and cousin (4). He watched them then wants to copy. The 1st few times i help till i feel hes got it. We do let him fall (not enough to do damage) to teach balance on stuff etc. So he knows how to climb with falling

Anyways please tell me im not a neglectful parent forcing my child to grow old before his time. Im sure i just have an over independant little man

 

[hattiehippo]

Tom could easily do slides by 18 months at the latest - I bought him a 3+ one at that age because the under 3 ones were no challenge for him and he got bored.

Some kids are jut quicker at learning to climb etc than others. Tom was ahead with his gross motor skills at that age but his speech didn't take off until 21-22 months. Friends of his were talking in 4 word sentences at 14-15 months but couldn't manage a slide till way after 2. Nothing to do with 'lazy parenting'!

 

[Tanikins]

Thank you. Our slide is 3+ aswell but thats because hes 3ft tall and could lay the entire lenght of the younger 1s

 

[Amy2701]

My mum bought my 2 year old niece the 3+ slide for her birthday. My DD was 15 months old at the time and after it being in my sisters house a week or so my DD could do it herself no problem. I always make sure I can see her but she never needs my help on it now. X

 

[Tanikins]

I alway thought climbing is fairly siimilar to walking so as long as the could walk they could climb

My lb was 18 before he walked and 19 before he could do the slide - so maybe he was late then not pushed

 

[loobylou99]

You are not a lazy parent! My lo is 20 months and just getting the hang of it on her own.I do hover but she is still a little unsteady, but like you I try to give her space to learn from her mistakes too.nothing wrong with that!

 

[supertabby]

Isobel could manage her own slide in the garden by that age, out and about was (still is) more dependant on how high up/size of gap between steps etc - some have gaps bigger than her legs can physically stretch! She was an early walker which probably helped her with climbing etc quicker too.

Nothing to do with lazy parenting! If your friend's brother wants to follow that logic you could easily say your lo can do slides because you've spent the time teaching him, while his lo can't because he isn't getting any attention to show him how. Of course neither is the case - children just learn things at different rates and nothing wrong with it. As I said my lo was an early walker but she was a late talker, thry all get wherever they're going in the end.

And there's nothing wrong with independent play. My lo loves her independent play snd always has, we absolutely play with her and do activities too but she's quite happy doing her own thing. If a child is happy with that it must be good for them, freedom to do as they please etc. I love a bit of down time to myself to destress - I remember being the same as a child.

 

[Seity]

18 months, but he'd never had the opportunity to use a slide before then. He figured it out first try.
I insist on independent play.

 

[binxyboo]

I can't remember exactly, but he was definitely doing slides at the play park before 24 months. We bought him a second hand slide for the garden just before his second birthday because of that!

All children develop differently. My LO is a thinker rather than a do-er, so his physical abilities have always been a bit behind, but his talking, problem solving and puzzle skills have been ahead. His little friend is 2 months older and she is a do-er rather than a thinker. She has been jumping, running and climbing well before my LO, but her talking, problem solving and puzzle skills are behind his.

I happen to think independent play is as important as guided play. we try and have a healthy mixture of both (usually led by Daniel. He will let me know if he wants me to join in a game or to be left to play by himself!!)

You are not a lazy parent.

 

[Bex84]

My lo was around 17 months. My lo has always been a good climber, its nothing to do with being lazy parent, its about child having good gross motor skills. My lo was up the one very quickly at park the other day and has one of the small little tikes ones in our garden. I was more nervous than lo lol

 

[Bex84]

and as pp said its important for them to learn to play independently as well anyway. I let my lo lead play but also do lots of activities with her

 

[Tanikins]

Thanks guys

See i thought idenpendant play was good. I mean hows he gonna learn if i always do it for him

 

[EstelSeren]

Tanwen was about 13 months when she was able to quite easily! When we're at baby groups I quite like to leave her play independently with the other children as much as possible, obviously keeping an eye on her. It's good for her as at home she only has me and is really quite clingy so I like seeing her happy and able to go off on her own! She actually gets very upset if we try to help her when she doesn't need it!

Beca :wave:

 

[sun]

My daughter just turned 18mo and can now use the slide in our backyard - but that's only because it has a climbing wall and no stairs or ladder to it, so she is just getting the climbing wall now. She could use a slide with stairs a few months ago. Personally I would just ignore what they said sounds more like they feel defensive for some reason - maybe their son did it later and they aren't comfortable with that? They get things at all different ages - my son was way way older when he could do the ladder/slide combo.

 

[freckleonear]

DD could use a small garden slide independently at 14 months and could climb up large slides with steps soon afterwards. The slide at our local playground has a steep slope to climb up, so it took her a bit longer to get the hang of that one.

 

[RachA]

I can't see how encouraging your child to use a slide at a young age can be classed as lazy parenting ??

I honestly can't remember how old my two were when they could do it all themselves. At a guess I'd say my daughter was around 18/19 months on our small slide and 2 on our bigger slide. As my daughter is developmentally behind I feel safe to say my son was younger than 18months as he was much more advanced.

 

[Tanikins]

I can't see how encouraging your child to use a slide at a young age can be classed as lazy parenting ??

I honestly can't remember how old my two were when they could do it all themselves. At a guess I'd say my daughter was around 18/19 months on our small slide and 2 on our bigger slide. As my daughter is developmentally behind I feel safe to say my son was younger than 18months as he was much more advanced.

because im to lazy to constantly lift him back to the top, so i forced him to learn to do it himself

they should spend a day with my lb you cant force him to do anything

hes independent and it doesn't help him watching the bigger kids and him wanting to do the same without help

 

[Elphaba12]

LO was 16 months. We got her a Little tikes first slide for Xmas and she just became obsessed with it. She is a climber though, and a pretty adventourous child. I'd just ignore what was said, some people just aren't happy unless they are putting other people down.

 

[greenlady]

I agree that person sounds defensive for some reason. It's ridiculous logic. If a child needs help, then help them. If they can do it themselves, why would you keep lifting them to the top of the slide? Isn't that called helicopter parenting or something? I.e. hovering over them and doing everything for them.

My DD was maybe 19 months or so at the park, bit younger for a little plastic slide. I can't remember exactly. I would always be there to supervise and would never let her fall. I don't think that equals laziness at all.

 

[minties]

I can't really remember, but somewhere between 14 and 18 months. I still hover though as he is going up, the slides here have ladders and not steps. His favourite one is about 11 feet high.