Climbing practice station
1–2 yearsSuccess MindsetMaterials: Sturdy low box or cushions
Safe floor surface
Set up a safe low climbing opportunity like a sturdy box or cushions. Encourage your child to climb up and down repeatedly. Stay close for safety but let them work out the movements themselves. When they struggle with foot or hand placement, give them time before helping. You might say 'you can do it' or 'keep trying.' The gross motor challenge requires sustained physical effort and builds confidence through persistence.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Set up a safe low climbing opportunity like a sturdy box or cushions. Encourage your child to climb up and down repeatedly. Stay close for safety but let them work out the movements themselves. When they struggle with foot or hand placement, give them time before helping. You might say 'you can do it' or 'keep trying.' The gross motor challenge requires sustained physical effort and builds confidence through persistence.
Why It Works
Mastering gross motor skills through repeated practice builds both physical capability and perseverance. Research demonstrates that gritty students are 30-40 percent more likely to complete challenging tasks and achieve milestones (Duckworth et al., 2007). For toddlers in the early stages of climbing, each attempt requires sustained effort and problem-solving. The physical nature matches their developmental stage while teaching that mastery requires working through difficulty, a core component of grit.
Tips for Parents
Keep the height low, around six to 12 inches. Safety is more important than height.
Some children will climb up and down 15 or 20 times. This repetition is building both motor skills and persistence.
Materials Needed
Sturdy low box or cushions
Safe floor surface
Learning Methods
Hands-On ExplorationMontessori Practical Life Activities
Loved this activity? Let us do the planning for you.
Imprint personalizes every activity to your child — their interests, their stage, the traits they're building — so playtime is more fun and every moment counts.
Science-backed. Private by design. No spam.