A Child-Friendly Home
Sturdy Kitchen Tables, Dark Carpets, Accessible Books & Step Stools
Nov 30, 2008
Most parents baby proof the home in order to keep a crawling baby safe from potential hazards and to protect fragile or special items from being damaged by a baby’s natural curiosity. But, once the children are past the baby stage, it’s equally important for parents to create a child-friendly home.
A child that is not worried about ruining the furniture can relax and enjoy aspects of childhood that children in more confined homes cannot. Likewise, a parent who is not stressed about the furniture and who creates an environment that allows children to be independent can be a more relaxed parent.
An easy clean kitchen table, dark-colored rugs, accessible books and a step stool are helpful in creating a child-friendly home.
A Sturdy, Easy-Clean Kitchen Table
Craft projects, science experiments, baking and over-excited toddlers banging spoons on the table, can all spell disaster for fine furniture. Parents should not look in expensive furniture stores when picking out a kitchen table. Keep in mind that the kitchen table in a child-friendly house is usually used for more than just eating meals. Pick one that will hold up to years of abuse, be easy to clean and sturdy enough for an adventurous toddler that’s testing out his climbing skills.
Avoid kitchen tables with inlaid tile tops. These are notoriously hard to clean, as are tables with engraved patterns. A good, sturdy piece of wood in a neutral color will last for years and clean easily. Be sure to get a table that can be washed with soap and water. Tables that require specific kinds of furniture polish will be hard to maintain.
Dark Colored Carpets or Rugs with a Pattern
There is not a sippy cup in the world that is truly leak proof. Those dribbles of milk or juice will inevitably spill on a white or beige rug. Vomit, food, drinks and muddy shoes are all much easier to deal with when the rug is less likely to show stains.
Families with children and pets know that light colored carpets are not child-friendly. Keep it simple by using a dark carpet or area rug. Rugs with patterns are especially good at hiding stains.
Easy Access to Books
All children should be able to have access to books at all times in a child-friendly home. Even babies and toddlers, who are notoriously rough on books, should be able to access age-appropriate board books.
Books should not be put away on a high self that is out of reach for young children. Not only can this be dangerous if an adventurous toddler decides to climb to reach the books, it also sends the message that books are off-limits.
To avoid feeling like the children are ruining expensive books, find inexpensive books at garage sales and library book sales that will be sturdy and have no emotional attachment for you.
A Step Stool
A child-friendly home is one that helps children learn how to accomplish tasks independently. A step stool will help a capable preschooler do simple tasks on his own. Reaching the sink to wash hands or brush teeth and reaching a cupboard to get a cup all become easier for a child that has access to a sturdy, portable step stool.
A child-friendly home will help minimize the parents and children’s stress. Be sure to include an easy clean, sturdy kitchen table, a dark-colored rug or carpet, easy access to books and a convenient step stool in your child-friendly home.
