4 year old scared of stairs

[Snickers94]

Hi all, my LO is turning 4 on Monday and she’s still quite scared and cautious of climbing stairs without holding on to something. Going up, she’s ok but still doesn’t use alternating feet and needs to hold something else she will just crawl up with hands and feet.

Going down is another story. She looks down and quivers from worry. She has to hold someone’s hand and still doesn’t use alternating feet, or asks to be carried.

Shes lived in a flat her whole life but there are stairs outdoors and at her grandparents house. How can I help her to become more confident? She won’t even use the step stool to go to the big toilet because she finds it scary, and prefers to use her potty instead.

My daughter was the same at that age, it took time but eventually she got there. I think once she started school we saw a massivw improvement as there were stairs to the lunch and dinner hall and she saw the others going up and down easily. Lots and lots of patience and encouragement

My DS was exactly the same at that age. We just kept practicing going up and down, going on walks to places there are steps and eventually he was confident.

He's now 6 and doesn't even hold the rail anymore.

Thank you both!! This gives me hope that she will be okay in school.. hopefully seeing others will help her

Can she go down on her bum?

My kids have both fallen down the stairs. No bruises but a big shock. Its a valid fear. Your LO faces their fear on a daily basis and I think this is a great lesson for them to learn. One of mine recoils from hair brushing, and the other from team activities. I tell them how brave they are, and slowly it seems to be getting easier for them