THE PIKLER TRIANGLE & CLIMBING RAMP - NOT JUST FOR CLIMBING

THE PIKLER TRIANGLE & CLIMBING RAMP - NOT JUST FOR CLIMBING

Before investing in the triangle many people wonder, how long will my child use this? Once they can climb is it worth having? Luckily the triangle can be used in a variety of ways beyond simply climbing up, over, and down again. Here are some ideas to get you started!

 

The triangle upright on its own

  • The Pikler Triangle can easily be transformed into a tent, fort, or reading nook by placing a blanket or sheet over the top. Most children, but especially those with an enclosing schema enjoy hiding under blankets or in boxes. Toss a light blanket over your triangle and your child has a tent or tunnel to crawl through. Add a few pillows and your child’s favorite stuffed animal and your child have a cozy place to cuddle up with a book.  

 

  • Once covered with a thicker blanket, your triangle can give an excellent space for exploring light and colors. You can use a light table or DIY one yourself with a flashlight and large plastic container lid- these give you a great surface for color exploration using translucent toys or resources. Explore with light and shadow by cutting a shape out of the bottom of a paper cup and placing a flashlight inside.

 

  • Tie ribbons around the rungs and sides of the triangle and string with rings, wooden beads, or other objects and toys to give your child opportunities to explore movement by sliding the beads or objects along the ribbons. 

 

  • Some people even transform their Pikler into a giant abacus. You can use swimming pool noodles or another similar material that is easily cut and placed on the rungs to be used as giant counting beads. Suddenly, your Pikler Triangle becomes great math and counting resource!

 

  • As your children grow, so does their imagination and the ways they use their Pikler triangle. Remember, your child will use the triangle as they need. Today, it was a horse to ride away on!

 

The triangle turned on its side or folded down

  • By placing your climbing triangle on its side with the rungs going vertically, your child suddenly has a large loom for weaving. Give your child a collection of old scarves or strips of fabric and either tie one end and model for your child how to weave, or let them explore and discover how to manipulate the fabrics on their own. With older children, you can take this one step further by introducing some pattern work. 
  • If you have a Foldable Pikler Triangle, fold it down and lay it flat on the ground. Allow your child to explore by climbing and stepping through the rungs. Children can practice their balancing and coordination skills.

The Climbing Ramp

  • Turning the Climbing Ramp with the smooth side facing up children can explore movement by rolling cars and balls down the ramp. Older children explore friction by covering the ramp with different materials and comparing how the cars or balls move. Changing the pitch of the ramp also creates opportunities for comparison of movement.

 

  • Older toddlers can begin to explore which objects or shapes can roll and which cannot.  Provide your child with different-shaped blocks such as cylinders, spheres, and cubes, and guide them to explore rolling them down the ramp.

 

  • The ramp offers many additional opportunities for play and developing creativity. It can be used as a bridge, a boat, a mountain to conquer, or for an animal parade! 

 

Thanks in large part to our children’s imagination and natural creativity, the possibilities for using the Pikler Triangle are truly endless. Remember with Montessori we always follow the child, follow their interests, and their developmental abilities. When setting up the triangle for an alternative activity always think about your child’s current interests first and design a setup based on their interests and needs.

We at Goc Montessori hope that you found this article helpful. For a look at how to use the triangle at different ages or developmental stages be sure to check out our post: How to use the pikler triangle at different ages/developmental stages.

 

Written by

Góc Montessori

 

>> Products mentioned in this article: Pikler Triangles

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