Stairs with a Handrail

Safety

Real stairs have gates at the top and bottom that stay closed when an adult is not with the child; the top gate is fixed to the wall, not pressure-mounted.
An adult is on the stairs with the child every time.
Stair treads are not slippery and have nothing left on them.

1
Open the gate and tell the child: 'We are going up the stairs. Hold the rail.'
2
Stand on the open side of the child, one step below when going up.
3
Show: hold the rail, put one foot on the step, bring the other foot up next to it. Say 'Step, step' as you do.
4
Let the child go up at their own pace. The whole foot resting on the step is the point of interest.
5
Going down, stand one step below the child, facing them. Show holding the rail and putting one foot down, then the other.
6
If the child is unsure going down, show them how to sit and slide down one step at a time, or to turn and go down on the tummy feet first.
7
Close the gate when you finish.

The step: a foot placed half on the edge slips; the rail steadies the child when they lose balance.