Dressing is child's play

Date Submitted: 10 January 2006

Last Date Updated/Revised: 30 March 2006

Top tips for starters

• Find a routine that suits you and your child. If your weekday mornings are busy, you may find it easier to practice at bedtimes or at the weekends

• Be realistic about what your child can do. Start with simple things like putting arms in the right holes and making sure clothes go on the right way round. Work up to the harder items like fasteners, buttons or zips.

• Try and take the pressure off getting dressed by using dressing toys, dress up costumes and imaginative play. This will help to increase your child’s interest and gives a general understanding of getting dressed and undressed

• Think about where your child is getting dressed and what is easiest for him/her.

• Ideally, they should be seated at a chair where they can put their feet flat on the floor with their hips and knees at right angles

• If your child is quite small, using the bottom step on your set of stairs may be easier

• A stool is a good idea if your child has good balance, as there are no chair arms to get caught on

• Remember this is a new skill for your child and it is easy to get confused. Talk through what you want to do and what you want to achieve

• Start with undressing, as this is easier and can be done later in the day as part of the bedtime routine

• Start small and move up. Initially, your child should try putting on socks, or pulling up trousers

• Encourage your child to handle clothes. They can help to hang out clothes, or sort clothes into colours and types

• Consider using a chart with photos of instructions broken down step by step

• Place a large mirror in front of your child when dressing so they can see what they are doing

• Make clothes drawers child friendly to enable your child to choose their own clothing. Alternatively, lay out a selection on the bed

• Above all, enjoy it. If your child is not having fun and you are becoming frustrated, leave it and try another day

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