THE LEARNING TOWER HACK

Learning Tower Hack 
How to build and use your own learning tower.      

What’s is a learning tower? 
A learning tower is a safe and sturdy step stool that can be used for children from ages 18 months to five years. It’s purpose is to make household interactions and learning experience safer, easier and more enjoyable for the children and parents as the children are level with the countertops. This makes it perfect for them to engage in the kitchen while also offering them a space to observe, participate and create in other activities around the home. These opportunities will help to encourage toddlers and children’s independence and kitchen skills.

How we use our learning tower: 
I knew I wanted a learning tower in my home as soon as I seen them as we try to practice the Montessori method of learning with Forrest on a daily basis. 
Having our learning tower allows Forrest to be with me in the kitchen while I prepare meals, do dishes and also do play activities. 

Cooking: 
Forrest loves to help. He will use safe kitchen utensils like a wooden spoon and help mix things in a bowl or do things like hand me the ingredients. He loves to listen to me name all the different foods and explain what we need to do to prepare the meal, it’s a great learning experience. 

Cleaning:
Once we are done with meal time and I take Forrest out of his high chair, he will hop in his leaning tower and wash his hands, I love how much easier this is as he can reach the sink! Then he will help me to do the dishes. I will wash them and then I will hand the dishes to him ( usually only the plastic ones at the moment) and he will stack them in the drying rack. He is really getting good at this and finds it to be such a fun game! 

Craft and activities: 
We also use the learning tower for a place to do craft at the kitchen bench. We do things like play dough, crayon colouring, painting and sticker books! It a really engaging and fun use of the learning tower. 

I believe the learning tower to be so beneficial as our child is now part of the action and is learning and helping the family with daily jobs. 
It was never like me to just want to leave my child on the floor ( most likely pulling at my leg for attention) or sitting them in front of the tv to distract them until mummy was done. I love the fact that Forrest can participate and also that he loves participating! This really helps him to be set up for future life skills. 

The Learning tower hack: 
Now there are plenty of learning towers on the market but they can get quite pricey around $150+ so if you have the skills ( or know someone who has the skills) to build one yourself it will only cost your around $80 :) . 

First begin with purchasing a sturdy wooden step stool as your base. We purchased ours from Kmart Australia for $25. 

Next grab a photo or sketch out your design of how you like the top (cage) for your learning tower to look. You will also have to decide if you would like a hinge gate at the top of your step or just a solid wood backing. 
Then you will have to measure your step stool so your can purchase the right amount of wood you will need to build the top.
Once I had all the material I kindly asked my father in law to build and attached the top safety cage to the bottom step. He then also sanded it down and vanished it for the finishing touches. 

I love the way it turned out! It is so cute and safe for my toddler! We definitely would recommend this in any household especially if you practice the Montessori method and practical life lessons in your home ! 

Thanks again for reading! 

  • Mummy R

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