How to Teach Your Child to Get Dressed

Superheroes, cartoon favorites, video game characters: They can be your friends too. When your child wears clothes that he likes, dressing can be fun - as well as easier on you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sewing Supplies
• Chidren's Toys

1. Let your child help in selecting his wardrobe, for the most part. Having likable, comfortable clothes can make dressing on his own a lot less painful.
2. Allow your child to decorate hand-me-down clothes with his choice of patches to make them seem unique and almost new - and thus more fun to wear.
3. Decide what your child will wear to special or formal occasions. Explain that although he can choose his own everyday clothes, there are certain clothes that are more appropriate for certain events.
4. Tape onto each drawer a picture of the kinds of clothes it contains, such as pants, socks or shirts. For younger children, review which articles of clothing go on which parts of the body.
5. Have your child decide the night before what he will wear the next day, and lay the items out over a chair; this will get him on the way to school much more quickly in the morning.
6. Turn the ordeal of dressing into a game. Perhaps you can have a race to see who can get dressed first.
7. Ask your child if he needs help with any article of clothing before you jump in for the rescue. Whenever possible, show your child how to put something on instead of doing it for him.

Tips & Warnings

• You can easily find patches of your child's favorite cartoon character or animal.
• Clothes are psychologically important for children in terms of their wanting to look like their peers. Unless his tastes are completely inappropriate, consider giving in to your child's tastes, but do not be afraid to set wardrobe guidelines.