Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Dressing Problems: Teaching Dressing Skills
Even before your child is capable of dressing herself you
can begin teaching her the skills she will need. Dressing
your child or helping her get dressed can and should be a
very pleasant interaction.
- Praise your child when she tries to put something on
(even if it's wrong) and begin teaching her how it should
be.
- Explain briefly what you're doing ("Here's the tag, it
belongs in the back"). Later you'll be able to ask him
which is the back and he'll show you. Make it fun and
remember to praise any attempts to do things by himself
(regardless of how much you helped). Gradually decrease
your help as your child acquires dressing skills.
When your child is able to get dressed without your help,
use these guidelines to encourage your child to get dressed
within a reasonable amount of time.
Don't expect your child to learn shoe-tying as readily as
she learns the other dressing skills. Children frequently
have more difficulty with shoe-tying. Have your child put
the shoes on and you tie them until your child offers to
help and has acquired the necessary manual dexterity.
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