Has anyone got any tips on how to stop an almost 2 year old from playing with the oven?
DS has figured out how to open the door and also how to turn the nobs to turn it on, he has even opened it while it was on a few times :/
We've currently got a gate up so he can't get into the kitchen when no ones around, but we are moving at the end of next week and the kitchen there is to big/open to put up any gates.
We're trying to explain to DD2 (18mths) at the moment about the oven being hot, i think it's all about repetition and explaining that hot things can hurt him and they are not to be touched.
DD2 now goes to the oven and says HOT HOT but she still tries to touch it
Could you buy like a fire grate to put around it when it's on? A friend bought an old wooden playpen and took one of the sides off and used that.
Yep I agree witht he repetition thing. We have not child proofed our house too much just sectioned off two "escape" areas for the cat. My thought is kids don't learn about the dangers if things are just locked etc.
We do the "ooh hot" thing. We do it for hot drinks and let her feel the heat on the outside of the cup, for the fireplace, heater, oven etc. It hasn't stopped her curiousity so we team the repetition with distraction too and use anything from pots and pans, to toys, books, tv, and even the poor old cat
It means you have to be extra vigilant but for us that seems the best option in our opinions.
Were always telling him it's hot, he's just become a little dare devil and thinks it's funny. Will definatly look into getting the fire place gate or play pen to use.
Our kitchen is also to wide too gate and I was a nervous wreck when DS1 learnt to walk and would wander into the kitchen. I just kept explaining that it is 'hot' and even getting him to touch the oven door as it was still heating up (so it was nowhere near hot, but just warm enough to feel warmth and learn not to touch) - I'd just say ouchy and hot - eventually he got the idea and we have never had an issue with him touching it.
As for the knobs and turning things on - well that was a different story - no matter how many times we told him no and explained the hot thing he would still turn them again and again. We then visited a friends house who gave us an idea and that was to remove the knobs altogether - ours have 2 parts to it, the part you turn and the part that sits behind that has the settings - if that makes sense. We just have them on a shelf and then just slide the turning on part back on the little metal thing that is sticking out (sorry - so bad at describing things....) when i need to turn stuff on (i don't bother putting the setting ones back on for the stove).
Now I'm going through the same process with DS2 (DS1 is now 3 and haven't had any issues with touching oven or stove for over a year). I think DS2 - who is almost 17months old- is already starting to understand - but it helps that DS1 usually goes over to DS2 and tells him not to touch - its hot...ouchy!
And when I'm cooking and need some space when moving hot things around I'll either try to distract with tv in the lounge room or have them both sitting in their seats (though these days DS1 will be on a chair nearby and trying to help me so I will give him tasks like washing the vegies or helping me measure stuff or get me stuff out of the cupboard and fridge etc).
We tell my DD that the oven is hot, and she tried to blow on it (like we do for her food when its hot). SLowly i think its getting through. But firstly you have to protect them, and if the teaching them about hot and danger is taking awhile then sometimes you just have to put the barriers up to protect them until they get it.
We did the "hot" thing too. DS was ok, and when he was little- the oven where we lived the knobs etc were all at the back of the oven, but no we have moved here they are right on the front, DS(3) knows now not to touch, but DD (1) is just starting to explore. Unfortunately she learned hot coz she climbed in behind me as i was getting a pizza out of there and she touched the door- and it hurt. And she hasnt been near it since!!! i wouldnt recommend you burn DS's hand, but i like Frangipani's idea of letting them touch it warm to help them understand.
Registered User
Toddler and oven..
) when i need to turn stuff on (i don't bother putting the setting ones back on for the stove).
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks