A learning tower is a piece of furniture built specifically for toddlers to increase their independence and participation in the kitchen or other activities. Learning towers are becoming an increasingly popular way for parents to securely engage their young children in activities such as cooking and crafting.
We appreciate the convenience of learning towers, but also need to pay extra attention to their safety, after all, children are standing on an elevated platform.
This article focuses on the safety standards and certifications for early childhood learning towers, providing practical guidance for retailers and parents.
Benefits of Learning Towers
Safe Inclusion of Toddlers in Kitchen or Household Activities
Learning towers provide parents with a safe and practical approach to incorporating toddlers into daily tasks, especially in busy kitchens. Rather than balancing a curious kid on an unsteady stool, a learning tower provides a secure platform with guardrails, reducing the risk of falls and slips.
Imagine: you’re busy making dinner, and your child just wants to cling to you and pepper you with many questions. A learning tower allows them to stay by your side, but stay focused on their own business without interrupting you, as they help stir ingredients, wash vegetables, or even pour their own drinks (under your watchful eyes, of course).
Unlike traditional footstools, learning towers have side and back supports to prevent falls. This means your child can enjoy being in them, and you don’t have to worry about accidents all the time.
With the addition of a learning tower, these warm and harmonious family activities will often occur in your home.
Encouraging Hands-On Learning and Motor Skill Development
Learning towers encourage active participation, which is necessary for a child’s motor skill development, learning works best when they can touch, feel, and explore their surroundings.
As toddlers climb up and down the learning tower, they improve their balance and coordination. This active household participation encourages independence and curiosity, which are critical components of early childhood development. For instance, while baking pouring ingredients and stirring mixtures help to enhance fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination.
Aside from the fun of squishing dough between fingers, this activity strengthens the muscles in their hands and arms and improves hand-eye coordination. Over time, such frequent, deliberate interaction increases confidence and competence, resulting in increased independence.
Key Safety Features to Look for in a Learning Tower
When choosing the best learning tower for your child, there are several important elements to consider. Safety should be your number one consideration, as you want to ensure that your youngster can utilize the tower without risk of injury. Here are some key features to consider:
Sturdy Construction
It should be constructed of high-quality materials that can sustain tension. The foundation should be able to hold a child’s weight without wobbling or tipping over. Look for towers constructed from solid wood or reinforced plastic. Wood is a typical material, however it should be sanded smooth to eliminate splinters.
Safety Rails and Guardrails
A good learning tower should have enclosed sides or several guardrails to keep children from slipping or leaning too far forward. The rails should be high enough to prevent youngsters from accident falling out while still allowing them to comfortably reach the work table.
Non-Toxic Materials
Choose learning towers manufactured from non-toxic materials, especially since infants frequently explore with their mouths. Look for towers coated with lead-free paint or food-grade sealants. Look for Greenguard certifications, which guarantee the absence of dangerous chemicals in construction materials.
Anti-Slip Base or Foot Pads
To avoid slippage, a learning tower should include an anti-slip foundation or foot pads. This function keeps the tower sturdy even on slippery surfaces, offering extra security as your child uses it.
Learning Tower Accessories and Their Safety
Aside from the fundamental framework of a learning tower, several additions can improve its functionality, with each accessory requiring its own set of safety precautions. Here are several commonly used accessories and their safety implications:
Cushions and Seat Pads: Cushions and seat pads can help your toddler stay comfortable when using the learning tower for long periods of time. However, ensure that these cushions fit properly and are constructed of non-toxic, flame-resistant materials. Cushions that are too loose or don’t fit properly can become tripping hazards.
Trays and Work Surfaces: Some towers have trays or work tables attached to the sides or front, allowing children to create their own mini-tables for snacks or coloring. Any removable tray should have smooth edges to avoid pinches or scrapes and lock firmly into place.
Side Panels and Guardrails: Side panels can provide additional safety, preventing children from leaning too far over the edge. Some models include side panels or additional guardrails; make sure they’re tall enough and firmly connected. If this option is available for your tower, make sure that any detachable parts lock firmly and don’t affect overall stability when removed.
Toy Attachments and Activity Centers: While toys tend to keep children entertained, be sure they are particularly made for use with the tower and do not contain small pieces that could pose a choking danger.
Storage Bins or Shelves: Learning towers with shelves or storage bins allow you to keep cooking tools or painting supplies close at hand. Make sure they are firmly fastened and do not present a tipping risk when objects are taken out.
International Learning Tower Safety Standards and Certification
Specific institutions play a crucial role in establishing regulations that manufacturers must adhere to regarding the safety and quality of learning towers. In many nations, these standards establish guidelines for materials, structural stability, chemical safety, and acceptable design characteristics.
Learning towers that have been certified to meet international standards are safe for young users and promote peace of mind for parents.
Here are a few safety international standards and certifications to look out for:
Europe: EN 71 Certification
EN 71, a set of European safety standards, applies primarily to toys and related items, such as learning towers with toy accessories. The law establishes safety requirements for mechanical and physical qualities, ensuring that toys are designed to reduce risk. Key areas covered by en 71 for learning towers:
Material safety: The learning tower must be made of materials that are free of any hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium and phthalates, and safe for children to touch, chew or come into contact with.
Stability: When tested, the learning tower must be able to remain stable under load and remain standing when a child climbs or uses it normally.
Design to prevent injuries: The tower must not contain sharp edges, points and small removable parts.
Durability and wear resistance: The product must be tested for wear and tear to ensure that it can withstand regular use without structural instability.
United States: CPSIA and ASTM Compliance
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which focuses on hazardous materials, requires that lead levels in paints and coatings in toddler towers must not exceed 90 ppm. Products must be tested for the presence of hazardous substances such as certain phthalates.
ASTM F963 is the primary standard for toy safety in the U.S., applicable to many children’s products, including learning towers. Compliance with ASTM standards implies that a learning tower has been thoroughly tested to identify potential hazards and protect users throughout daily activities. Key areas covered by en 71 for learning towers:
Mechanical performance: All products must undergo rigorous testing to eliminate potential mechanical hazards. Toddler towers must not contain parts that could cause pinching, biting or other injuries.
Stability and strength: Learning towers should be designed to withstand the weight of an average child. Testing involves load-bearing capacity and stability under various conditions to eliminate designs that are prone to tipping over.
Paint and coating safety: Towers should be free of lead-based paint and other harmful substances that could be ingested or absorbed by children.
Canada: CCPSA (Canada Consumer Product Safety Act)
In Canada, the Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) regulates the safety of products such as learning towers. The law requires that children’s products do not pose any risk of injury or harm. Key regulations include:
Hazard identification: Learning tower Manufacturers must ensure that products do not pose choking, cuts, or structural instability that causes falls.
Labeling: Products must be clearly labeled with warnings, directions for use, and age recommendations.
Recall regulations: If a product is found to pose a safety threat, manufacturers must act quickly to recall the product from the market.
Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS 8124
In Australia and New Zealand, the safety of children’s products is governed by the AS/NZS 8124 standard, which aligns closely with the European EN 71 standards. The standard outlines key safety aspects:
Design and construction: Towers must be of a solid structure to prevent toppling or collapsing.
Fall prevention: Learning towers must incorporate design features such as guardrails or non-slip feet to prevent children from falling.
Common Safety Tips for Using a Learning Tower
Check surroundings for hazards. Before use, make sure sharp objects, hot surfaces, and toxic materials are away from children. This includes knives, hot stoves, and cleaning supplies commonly found in the kitchen.
Always Supervise. Always have an adult present to supervise your child when they are using a learning tower. Intervene immediately if you notice your child engaging in dangerous behaviors such as leaning, rocking, or trying to climb out.
Place the learning tower on a flat, non-slip surface. Make sure the learning tower is on a flat area and has a robust framework that shows no signs of breaking. If your kitchen floor is very slippery, consider laying an anti-slip mat beneath the tower’s base for extra stability.
Store It Properly. When not in use, keep the tower out of high-traffic areas to avoid tripping hazards. An unattended learning tower can provide easy access to risky regions of the kitchen, as well as a fall hazard.
Follow the manufacturer’s age and size recommendations. Most learning towers will include age and size guidelines, with the recommendation that youngsters be old enough to stand steadily and follow directions. Most conventional towers can handle youngsters up to about 2-3 years old.
Consider safety accessories. Some learning towers have useful safety elements such as non-slip steps, safety bars, and more. If yours does not, you can use your own accessories, such as corner cushions, to reduce bruising.
Teaching Kids Safe Usage
Teaching kids how to utilize a learning tower correctly goes a long way, but parents and other caregivers bear the majority of the responsibility for safety.
Start by outlining its function and providing an example of the proper way to ascend and descend. Instead of presenting the tower as a toy, present it as a “special tool” intended for education and engagement. Use basic words and encourage children to hang onto the safety rails.
Show a child how to climb in and out of the tower when they first begin using it. Teach them to balance, put their feet firmly, and grasp the rails. Consistently remind them to keep their feet on the platform and not to lean over the edges. Safe habits can be reinforced through role-playing. With your help, you may set up scenarios where they can practice climbing on and off the tower.
Encourage children to use the tower for its intended purpose, such as washing fruits or assisting with dinner preparation, to instill a sense of responsibility. During activities, include them by explaining what you’re doing and why. This raises awareness and curiosity while promoting safe behaviors.
DIY Learning Towers: Are They Safe?
In the age of Pinterest and DIY passion, many parents are making their own learning towers, transforming everyday materials into imaginative constructions for their children.
A personalized DIY tower is more than simply a way to save money; there’s a genuine sense of satisfaction in creating a unique item that allows your children to stand securely at the kitchen counter or craft table.
However, before you put on your toolbelt and start working on this job, you must first consider safety.
First, it’s important to source high-quality materials. Make use of durable, high-quality materials, and stay away from reused wood unless you are certain that it is chemical-free. Pay close attention to construction methods to guarantee that all parts are attached securely and steadily.
Design integrity must never be sacrificed. Adhering to a reliable set of do-it-yourself plans, ideally, one that has been examined or tested by a credible source will assist in guaranteeing that the base is sufficiently wide to avoid tilting and that guardrails are positioned correctly. Always include an anti-slip feature and pay special attention to specifics like the platform’s height in relation to the side rails.
After assembling the do-it-yourself tower, carefully evaluate its stability by putting light pressure in various directions. Seek assistance from a more seasoned carpenter if you lack confidence in your abilities.
If parents take these precautions, a DIY learning tower may be a fantastic concept, providing a unique and safe environment for toddlers to explore while also assuring their safety and comfort.
Conclusion
Learning towers are useful resources for helping young children develop their independence and engage in hands-on learning. Whether purchasing or building one, prioritize safety to make the most of this enriching experience.
Ready to explore trusted options? Clafbebe excels in producing toddler learning towers that balance safety, durability, and innovation. If you’re looking to supply a reliable, high-quality product to your market, consider partnering with Clafbebe.
Visit Clafbebe today to explore how you can empower your clients with top-tier solutions.
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