Table of contents:
- When can children wear their own clothes?
- Tips for teaching children to wear their own clothes
- 1. Start with simple clothes
- 2. Put the clothes in a place that is easily accessible
- 3. View and imitate
- 4. Respect the child's choice of clothes to wear
- 5. Give support and encouragement
As children get older, they will start to be happy and want to do various activities without the help of their parents. As a parent, this development must of course be supported by training your little one's abilities when doing something. One of them is teaching children to wear their own clothes. In addition to training children's independence, wearing clothes will also stimulate children's motor skills.
When can children wear their own clothes?
Before being able to wear their own clothes, children usually begin to show their ability to take off their clothes at the age of one year or 18 months. Sometimes the child can also help when you get dressed, such as raising both hands to go over two sleeves or standing up and pulling on his own pants.
It is only at the age of two or three that you can start teaching children how to dress themselves. During this time, your little one may show interest in some clothes.
However, keep in mind that the development of each child is different. The activity of wearing clothes also requires a process and cannot be mastered overnight. The important thing is to continue guiding and helping each little one to find it difficult.
Tips for teaching children to wear their own clothes
Teaching children to wear their own clothes may be a challenge that is a little difficult for you. Don't worry, here are a few tips to help you out.
1. Start with simple clothes
Start with simple clothes that don't require special abilities when wearing them. Some of the options you can choose from are loose t-shirts or fabric pants with an elastic band around the waist.
Tell them which side should be in front of or behind. Show the child that the side of the shirt with the picture is the front, and the label of the shirt should be on the back. Then, start wearing the t-shirt by tucking your head through the neck hole, then follow by sticking your hands through the sleeves.
After wearing the t-shirt, continue to teach the child to use pants. Insert both legs into the two bottom trouser holes, then pull the pants up to the waist. To make it easier, your little one can do it in a sitting position so that he doesn't have to bother to maintain his balance.
If the child's ability to wear their own clothes has improved, you can start teaching them to use clothes with buttons and zippers.
2. Put the clothes in a place that is easily accessible
Putting the clothes in an affordable place can facilitate the child's learning process so they can wear their own clothes. If you usually store your little one's clothes in a large closet, prepare the clothes for tomorrow's clothes and place them on a chair or bedside drawer.
Alternatively, you can put the clothes in the lowest drawer arrangement. If necessary, buy special drawers or cabinets for children that are not too tall.
3. View and imitate
Some children may learn faster when they see examples from those around them. You can dress yourself up in front of your little one and let him imitate you. Make sure to do it slowly as you explain it so your child can understand each step.
4. Respect the child's choice of clothes to wear
Source: Allaboutvision
When children get smoother when wearing their own clothes, there will be a desire to wear different types of clothes. Starting from dresses with fluffy skirts, shirts with striking colors, to additional accessories such as hats and stylish glasses.
Sometimes, children also start to have their own tastes. Maybe your little one will insisted when you start asking for options. This is normal, as long as the child is still comfortable, let him experiment with his clothes.
This behavior is also a form of expression of pride for your little one because he has successfully passed one stage of becoming more independent. You can still guide him by suggesting clothes that suit the weather conditions or a particular event.
5. Give support and encouragement
Don't be disappointed if your child still makes mistakes such as clothes that turn upside down or buttons that are not attached properly. Correct the mistakes slowly, you can also help move his hands when buttoning clothes or tying shoe laces.
Every little bit of his development is also commendable. Even though it's not yet perfect, supporting sentences like "Wow, great little brother can already wear his own pants!" undoubtedly it will make children even more enthusiastic about continuing to learn to wear their own clothes.
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