Pikler Triangle: 5 Ways To Play

So, what is the Pikler Triangle?

Invented by Hungarian Paediatrician and mother, Emmi Pikler, this climbing frame was designed to allow children to freely develop their movement skills. The way we understand it, Emmi Pikler was all about developing a strong understanding of typical development and creating an environment to support it rather than specifically moulding it… we wholeheartedly agree! 

1. Standing play- most babies don’t need to specifically be helped to learn to walk.  Proving lots of opportunities to safely pull to stand and play in standing will allow your baby to build the strength and balance that they need. Your pikler frame is an excellent opportunity for standing play. For a little novelty try threading rings on, tying scarves or ribbons on, or placing a basket of balls underneath. Your baby might experiment with posting balls through the rungs, squatting, reaching or climbing to explore the rings or scarves or cruising around it to investigate. Keep it simple just one new thing as a time and allow your baby some space to experiment.

2. Developing motor planning- Motor planning is the way we organise our bodies as we move and one type of motor planning involves organising your body while interacting with a toy, piece of equipment or everyday tool. One example where you can see your baby develop their motor planning is dressing, initially they will push an arm in a garment you put on them and slowly they will develop the ability to take the clothes and correctly orientate them on their body. Some babies and children can have a lot of difficulty with tasks that involve motor planning (if this is your child a paediatric physiotherapist or occupational therapist can help!). Negotiating climbing equipment, like the pikler triangle, involves practise moving the arms and legs to safely get where they want to go. Freedom to try, fail, and learn is important so let your baby have as much space as is safe as they learn. 

3. Asking for help - Learning to ask for help is a functional skill that is so important throughout your baby’s day. Once they can do this, there is less frustration and screaming as they can start to tell you when they are stuck and need help. As your baby is attempting the Pikler, step back and watch them and give them freedom to attempt it independently. When you see them getting stuck, before you jump in to help…..WAIT a bit longer. Wait to see what they do (they might surprise you and end up figuring out how to do it themselves!) and whether they look at you to indicate they need your help. This is then a perfect time to model ‘Help? Need help?’ before stepping in to help your little one. 

4. Reading Nook - Throw a sheet over the Pikler and you’ve created a snug little cubby/reading nook for your little one to curl up in. Add some books and soft toys inside and snuggle up together to read. Reading together has so many benefits - it can help develop their understanding and use of language, development of early literacy skills, ignite their imagination and is a beautiful 1:1 time with an adult! Follow your baby’s lead when reading the books and comment on what you can see in the pictures to model some simple language for them. 

5. Climbing down. Turning around to climb down backwards is a VERY important skill for your baby’s safety! Babies will often first try this on an adult arm chair or couch around 10 months. Some babies will first attempt a head first plunge off and for obvious reasons this is a bad idea! Piklers provide an opportunity for your baby to practise this rotation and climb down. Teaching your baby this skill if they are inclined to head first plunge is tricky. Often it involves backing off a little so your baby can feel that letting go with their hands and plunging is not safe. Play around with balancing their safety and their need to develop this skill. Can you make the area padded and allow a little safe fall? Can you support them but only at their hands so they learn to hold on not grasp for you? Can you practise first from a lower rung? Or practise the skill first off the low couch onto something soft or in the pool then progress to a firmer surface. Be guided by your child’s personality and skill level and your perception of safety. 

Wood Made Mike makes a beautiful well made pikler that gets used every single day in our play space!