How to teach a child to dress themselves?

Are you watching your child grow and wondering if it's the right time to teach them to dress themselves? This skill will certainly be useful for every preschooler, who will be able to take off their coat or put on a sweater independently when it gets colder. It's worth starting this training early and practicing it daily at home, under the watchful eye of their mother. How can you teach your child to dress themselves? In this article, you'll find some practical and proven tips.

Getting your child dressed independently – when is the best time?

The sooner you start familiarizing your little one with putting on pants, sweaters, or socks on their own, the better. You can start teaching them to dress as early as one year old. Although the beginnings will undoubtedly be awkward, it's worth remembering that "practice makes perfect." Adults dress almost automatically, but for a child, putting on a regular blouse will be quite a challenge. Success requires precise and deliberate movements.

How to teach a child to dress? It's best to start by learning through play and conversation. This will help your child develop a strong sense of dressing and be more likely to do it independently later. While dressing, tell them when to raise their arms, when to lower them, and so on. Also, tell them what you're doing: "We're putting on a sweater," "We're taking off socks." Foster a sense of agency in your child – let them know that cooperation makes the entire dressing process smoother and faster.

How to teach your child to dress themselves – gradation of difficulty levels

To ensure independence learning takes place in the most supportive environment possible, remember to introduce varying levels of difficulty. It's best to start with simple items from a child's wardrobe—socks, a hat—and only then gradually increase the level of complexity.

Try to choose clothes that are toddler-friendly – ​​visually appealing, eye-catching with fun graphics, etc. Also, when starting out, choose clothes that don't have even difficult-to-fasten buttons. Simple, stretchy tops in interesting colors, leggings and shorts with elastic waistbands, or shoes with Velcro closures are good options for starting out . When learning to dress independently, clothes with snaps, large buttons, and zippers are also great options. Leave tights, dresses that fasten at the back, and lace-up shoes for last – they can be the most challenging for your child.

An independent child – a happy child

Teaching a child independence is crucial for their self-esteem and self-confidence. This crucial skill is useful even in preschool – a child who masters dressing independently will be able to easily change their T-shirt or put on a warm sweater whenever they feel the need, without the help of their parents or preschool teacher.

A child who knows they no longer need parental help for certain daily activities is more confident . Mastering the skill of dressing independently also gives them the awareness of their agency and influence over themselves and others – demonstrating to everyone that they can cope well and are self-sufficient – ​​even in this one daily activity.