Thanks to social media, a Pikler triangle has become very popular in the last couple of years, it can often be seen in the photos of Montessori playrooms.
So what is a Pikler triangle? Simply put, it’s a climbing frame for babies and toddlers, it was designed by Hungarian paediatrician Emmi Pikler who studied the needs of young children. She encouraged the freedom of movement in babies and toddlers and designed the equipment and materials to help them do so safely. The idea behind the Pikler triangle is that it doesn’t need to be adjusted as your Child grows. At first, babies will be pulling themselves up to stand and later they will learn how to climb it. The original height of the pikler triangle is approximately 85 cm to allow it to be safe for independent exploration. (And by ‘independent exploration’ we mean that you should not force your baby and put them on the frame, they will progress as they are ready, however, you should not leave them unattended and should always supervise your Child). The Pikler triangle can be used by itself or with a ramp as an add-on for an extra challenge and fun
How is it different from other climbing equipment? Isn’t it enough to just go to the playground? Well, yes and no. Sure, there are many other options to give your Child freedom to move, and playgrounds is one of them. However, often they are designed for older kids and parents end up ‘helping’ their babies and toddlers – we put them on top of the slide, hold them when they are climbing a ladder, and by doing so we are pushing them beyond their limits. The goal of Pikler triangle is to allow children independent and safe learning of their boundaries.
Is Pikler triangle “Montessori”? Even though it was designed by Emmi Pikler and not Maria Montessori, it is very much in line with Montessori philosophy. It develops gross motor skills, helps build concentration and perseverance and encourages independence. It can certainly find it’s place in your Montessori home (well, if you have enough of it, obviously because it’s quite a large piece of equipment).
Where can I get the Pikler Triangle? Not so long ago, not many even knew what Pikler triangle was and it was very hard to find. Now, you can find plenty of small businesses who make these climbing frames here, in NZ. The price starts from $200, and this is just for the climbing ladder, the ramp is extra.
Another option is to make it, there are plenty instructions on the web. But you should have access to a special equipment and because the price of the wood in NZ is high, your DIY Pikler will not be cheap either (been there).
Last year Kmart were selling piklers, though the called them ‘climbing frames’. However, soon after releasing this product, they called it off, probably because of the safety issues.
So Pikler Triangle is pricey and that’s for a good reason - to make it safe, it can’t be cheap. We have good news for you though – head to our stories to see where else you can find Piklers.
Should I get one? Now that you know a little more about the Pikler Triangle, you can decide whether you want to get one for your Child. Things that you should consider are “is your Child a climber?”, “do you have enough space in your home? (you may look at a foldable piklers)”, “do you already have any other climbing equipment?”, “is it within your budget?”.