Stepping out – the challenges and benefits of outside stairs and surfaces

Spending time outside is remarkably beneficial for you and your toddler. Some of the skills they are working towards right now are far more easily achieved in the great outdoors; it can offer a freedom that being inside just can't quite match. 

Now that your toddler is walking downstairs with more confidence, getting outdoors to practise this skill can be much more exciting.  

Think about all the places there are to walk downstairs outside; play areas, parks, entrances to shops, libraries and museums, getting on and off public transport and even stepping down from a curb. 

In contrast to indoor steps, outdoor staircases inspire optimism and intrigue; your toddler might not be able to see what is at the bottom of the stairs, so the journey down becomes more enthralling! 

If your toddler's interest is piqued by something else, there may be times when they don't truly connect they are even walking downstairs. 

Toddlers that play outside are constantly experimenting with their surroundings.^[1]  

Toddlers typically enjoy taking on a challenge and being outside offers a terrific environment for challenging themselves and stretching their capabilities.^[1] 

Stairs outside can feel new and exciting, plus they are all totally different with some stairs being steeper, other demand longer strides, some are shallow and some are completely uneven, especially on forest walks where they may be made from logs or stones.  

Uneven steps and uneven surfaces encourage exploration, risk-taking, and critical thinking. 

When toddlers and children walk on uneven steps, grass or slopes, their bodies adjust to the bumpy surface, which enhances muscle control and strength – they unknowingly enhance their coordination and balance as well!^[2] 

Encouraging your toddler to think about their developing skills, needs and interests in areas that are open and spacious, helps them try things out and push a little bit harder. 

So, when you can, put on appropriate outdoor clothes and step outside.  

References: 

[1] H, Little. (2022). “It’s about Taking the Risk”: Exploring Toddlers’ Risky Play in a Redesigned Outdoor Space. Education Sciences. 12. 677. 10.3390/educsci12100677. 

[2] D. Rindal. (2019). 4 Surprising Benefits of Walking on Uneven Surfaces.Vimocity News article.