How can you get the most out of a toddler tower? Olivia Powers, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and toddler mom, also known as the OT Mom, is an expert at involving her child in daily routines with a kitchen helping tower.
In her work, Powers helps children reach developmental milestones through fun, engaging activities. As she raises her son, she also uses her professional experience to foster independence and learning. We recently interviewed her about her experience using Piccalio's Foldable Toddler Tower with her child. Below is the interview, lightly edited for readability.
About Toddler Towers: Getting Started
A helper stool for the kitchen can be a powerful tool for parents of young children. Powers shared tips on how to encourage independence while prioritizing safety.
Is a Toddler Tower Worth it for the Toddler Years?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: Absolutely. A toddler tower will easily earn its place in your home. Toddlers naturally want to be where you are, especially in the kitchen. A kitchen tower allows them to safely participate instead of constantly being picked up or redirected.
From a developmental perspective, toddler towers support growing independence, confidence, and early life skills. From a parental perspective, it changes “I can’t get anything done” moments into shared and meaningful moments.
What Do You Love Best About the Foldable Toddler Tower?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: My favorite part is in the name, the “foldable” design. It’s sturdy enough for daily use, but can be folded and tucked away when not needed, which is important for real-life homes where space matters. I also love that it promotes a safe, upright standing position. Plus, it feels secure for toddlers who are still learning balance and body awareness.
How Did You Introduce the Helper Tower to Your Toddler?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: I introduced the toddler tower slowly and with a lot of modeling. At first, it was simply a way to stand and watch while I cooked. I showed him how to climb in and out safely and stayed right next to him.
Once he was comfortable, I started offering simple tasks like stirring, dumping pre-measured ingredients, or washing dishes. Letting toddlers explore at their own pace builds confidence and safety awareness.
Cooking With Little Ones Using a Toddler Tower
A toddler kitchen stool makes preparing meals a little easier for parents. Powers explained the benefits of standing towers and offered practical strategies parents can use.
What Are the Benefits of Cooking with Toddlers?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: Don’t be intimidated by cooking with your toddler. It can feel messy, slow, or overwhelming at first, but the benefits far outweigh the extra time it may take.
Cooking together supports so many developmental skills. To name a few, fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, language development, attention, sequencing, and early problem-solving.
It also provides rich sensory experiences and repeated exposure to foods in a low-pressure environment. This can help reduce picky eating. Most importantly, it builds connection and confidence as toddlers feel included in real and meaningful tasks.
Discover easy Montessori-inspired sensory activities to try with your toddler.
How Do You Include Your Toddler While Cooking Family Meals or Preparing Snacks?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: Don’t overcomplicate it. I keep it simple and realistic. Toddlers don’t need complex tasks to participate. Stirring, pouring, tearing lettuce, washing fruits, spreading with a dull knife, or placing items on a tray all count.
Sometimes they actively help, and other times they observe while I narrate what I’m doing. Both are valuable, and neither has to be perfect to be beneficial.
Do You Have Any Tips on Keeping Your Toddler Safe While Using a Toddler Tower for Cooking?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: Always supervise and set up the environment for success. When they are first starting, keep hot surfaces and sharp tools out of reach. Position the helper tower away from the stove when possible.
Make sure the tower is standing on a flat surface and is fully stable. Set clear, consistent rules early, like “feet stay inside the tower” and “hands stay on the kitchen counter unless helping.” As toddlers gain experience and body awareness, they can safely participate in real cooking tasks. Of course, continued supervision and guidance are key.
Piccalio's Commitment to Toddler Tower Safety: Our Toddler Towers include important safety features and meet the strictest standards. Specifically, our toddler towers meet ASTM F963, U.S. CPSC, and California Prop 65 standards. Plus, they are Greenguard Gold and Intertek certified. These standards test for a range of structural safety standards, as well as protect indoor air quality by testing for 10,000+ pollutants.
We recommend our Foldable Helper Tower for children ages 18 months and older, or when they can stand independently. Always set up the toddler tower so the safety railing is at waist-height. Our adjustable height platform makes it easy to get the right fit, growing with your child.
Also, double-check that your child is under the weight limit and that you've assembled the tower correctly. Reach out to our Customer Service team with any questions about assembly.
See additional tips for using a toddler tower safely, by a Montessori teacher.
What Do You Wish All Parents Knew About Using a Toddler Tower?
Olivia Powers, Pediatric OT: A helper tower isn’t just for cooking; it becomes part of daily life. We use it for handwashing, helping with dishes, snack prep, sensory play, and even simple art activities. It gives toddlers a safe way to be included at counter height while building independence and confidence.
Toddler towers also reduce power struggles because toddlers can participate instead of being told “not right now.” When used consistently, a toddler tower becomes a familiar, trusted tool that supports both development and connection during everyday routines.
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