I Can Get Dressed

1. 1

   Putting on and taking off clothes naturally involves fine hand movements such as grasping, reaching, pulling, and lining things up.

2. 2

   During each dressing routine, invite your child to take one active part, such as finding a sleeve opening or lifting a foot.

3. 3

   Choose a step that matches what they can do now, then gradually reduce your help. They might pull up their pants, pull a zipper, or push one arm through a sleeve.

4. 4

   Let your child choose between two suitable outfits. Having a say in what to wear may make joining the routine more appealing.

5. 5

   Over time, offer different types of clothing—a pullover, a zip-up jacket, or a garment with large buttons—so your child can practice a wider range of hand movements.

What to notice

• Tries to put on part of an outfit independently Fine Motor
• Chooses an outfit from the options you offer Sense of Identity and Belonging

Tips

• Your child does not need to complete the whole routine alone. Do the difficult half, then leave the final grasp, pull, or push for them.

Developmental benefits

• Movement: Reaching, grasping, pulling, and lining up clothing gives your child repeated real-life practice controlling and coordinating both hands.