Help with dressing skills
Children generally learn dressing skills in this order:
- taking off hats, socks, shoes and gloves
- taking off an unfastened coat or jumper
- pulling trousers down and up
- putting arms into sleeves and legs into trousers
- putting on socks and shoes
- managing zips
- fastening large buttons
- fastening smaller buttons
- tying shoelaces
Tips to support dressing skills
Make dressing easier by:
- choosing loose-fitting clothes where possible
- practising when there is plenty of time and no rush
- using elasticated waistbands and simple fastenings
Encourage participation by:
- letting your child help with part of the task, even if you complete the majority. You can try backwards chaining
- starting with undressing before teaching dressing skills
- giving lots of praise for effort and progress
Create a routine by:
- keeping dressing steps in the same order each day
- laying out clothes in the order they will be put on
- giving one item of clothing at a time of your child becomes overwhelmed
Use visual support such as:
- photographs or picture cards showing each step
- encouraging your child to check their appearance in a mirror
Practice through play and games such as:
- dressing up dolls and teddies
- playing dress-up
- Simon Says
A helpful strategy: Backward chaining
If your child finds dressing difficult, try backward chaining. This means you complete most of the task and your child finishes the final step.
Once they can do that confidently, they complete the last two steps, then three, and so on until they can do the whole task themselves.
This helps children experience success and builds confidence.