On the Road to Baby Independence!
The guide to first gestures and how to encourage them
At Charlie Crane, our pieces are much more than children's furniture. They transform, they are designed to be durable and smart. In fact, we have dedicated a selection focused on independence for toddlers from 12 months!
Why encourage baby's independence?
From birth, baby begins to absorb their environment unconsciously, and from the very first years of life, the toddler will try to reproduce what they see in their daily life to act "like a grown-up" or alternatively "do it all by themselves." This happens through play but also through everyday actions.
How to encourage independence as a parent?
At this age, children are far from being able to understand a simple verbal instruction, so it is crucial to show them. It is truly through imitation that these first gestures of independence will develop, little by little…
It is of course equally important to:
- Doing all these steps with kindness: the parent should make gestures that are neither too fast nor too slow, avoid over-explaining the action, and repeat if needed so your child has time to break it down step by step.
- By letting them observe: Yes, baby needs to see an action several times before…taking action themselves!
- By putting it into words: gestures matter, but you can also use simple words to explain what you are doing in the moment.
- By respecting their pace: every child is different — take your time, don't rush them, and you will see that little by little everything will fall into place.
Adapting their living space
Around 12–18 months, baby gently begins to explore and gradually gain independence. Let's see how to encourage it, room by room, by adapting the environment to their level!
- In the bedroom
Having a floor bed allows the child to get up safely and also to go to bed when they feel tired (let's dream a little!) Do you know our YOMI and KIMI beds? We put together an article that sums up the whole Montessori bed theory right here:
We also think of shelves at toddler height, accessible mini bookshelves (the passion for pulling out books!), as well as low coat hooks so baby can put away their bag, jackets, and coats…
When it comes to play, the timeless wooden play kitchen is a must that delights little ones (and older ones too) — we also think of our Levo Doll baby bouncer for dolls which is a must-have when children want to play mom or dad.
- The bathroom
At this age, it's the right time to invest in a Montessori wooden learning tower or our HIBO stool so they can reach the sink height and wash their hands with soap, brush their teeth, clean their face… Our HIBO stool is multifunctional: a step stool, a footrest, and of course a stool — a true ally for independence!
- In the kitchen
Here too, a Montessori learning tower or our HIBO stool is useful for watching the grown-ups cook, and later, joining in at mealtimes! But not too fast! At this age, baby can now sit in their high chair — like the Tobo for example — and grab and drink from their cup (without a lid), pick up their cutlery or food to perfect their baby-led weaning!
Every day, we teach baby the gestures that will help them grow while having fun! As an adult, it is important to stay attentive, to watch, and to encourage. And then little by little, baby will be able to wipe up small spills on the table, throw away their diaper, put their toys away… For clothes, opt for elasticated waistbands, zip fastenings…
Finally, dear parents, a few tips:
- Your child will take much, much (much) longer than an adult to complete small everyday tasks — that is perfectly normal and is an oh-so-important stage in their development. Remember to breathe, despite the morning rush or the exhausting evening stretch…
- Who said you get it right on the first try? Sometimes your child will fall, spill, tear… That's all part of the process! Encourage every small victory by being specific.
- We avoid rushing to him when he fails or gets impatient…
Ready to support baby in their first steps?
Discover our selection of pieces on this theme:
