Teaching your preschooler to dress themselves is an important lesson that they will need to learn growing up and is also a great way to help them express their own sense of style.
Keeping in mind that some items of clothing can be a bit difficult to put on, here ways to make it easier for them.
Go for a size bigger than normal
When you are purchasing jackets and cardigans, go for a size slightly bigger than you would normally go for. This will make it a whole lot easier to get clothes on and off.
Easy-to-use buttons
Avoid buying clothes that have buttons which can be pretty difficult to manage. Instead, go for ones that snap together. As your little one starts to become a lot more used to working with fiddly objects then you can start moving them up to difficult ones.
Zips
Zips can be a little tricky to get used too, but are a lot easier than buttons. Start the zip off for them and let them pull it up to the top in their own. Make sure they are careful where they put their fingers so that they won’t get caught.
Make them accessible
To make taking out clothes a little easier for your little one, avoid putting them in drawers that they can’t open or too high up in the wardrobe. If getting new furniture is not an option, choose a number of outfits and lay them out where your youngster can look through them. Don’t give them too much choice as this can leave them frustrated when they can’t decide what to wear.
Be encouraging
Keep it positive and encourage your little one with praise, but not treats. Talk about how it is a sign that they are growing up, something that your preschooler will relish in. Make it fun and don’t order your youngster to do it. If they are having difficulties closing something or putting an item on, don’t sigh in frustration – remember it can take a little bit of practice to get it right.
