Kids Learning to Dress Themselves
Kids Learning to Dress Themselves
The Montessori approach emphasizes independence, self-directed learning, and the development of the whole child. One key aspect of it is the emphasis on fostering independence in children by providing opportunities to engage in tasks that allow them to take care of themselves and their environment. This type of work is called practical life work and is central to Montessori education.
In a classroom, practical life activities are designed to mimic everyday tasks that children see being done all around them. Teaching practical life skills like dressing and putting on shoes is particularly important in the Montessori approach because it empowers children to become more independent in their daily lives.
Age-Appropriate Independence
If you've asked yourself 'When can my child put on their shoes?' or 'When can my child get dressed themselves?' then this is for you!
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to answering this question! Each child progresses through stages of development at their own pace. Children's abilities evolve over time, and their readiness for certain tasks depends on their prior experiences and skills. Introducing practical skills in a sequence that aligns with the child's developmental progression allows them to build upon existing foundations.
Tips for Teaching Kids to Put on Socks and Shoes
What does a child need to learn to do before they can put on their shoes?
Learning how to put socks and shoes on your feet is a lot to learn at once! Starting with velcro shoes can help them master a part of the skill before building shoe tying onto it. You can do a progression of skills like this:
- strapping and unstrapping velcro on a shoe
- slipping into slip-on shoes
- putting a foot into the opening of a shoe with support to get the foot fully into the shoe
- putting socks on
- putting shoes on and strapping
- tying shoes
It is a lot to expect a young child to be able to stand steadily while putting on socks and shoes. A low stool or bench can support them as they learn this skill!
Activities and tricks that might support them:
- With a simple sticker trick, you can help your child know which shoe goes on which foot. Just cut a sticker in half vertically and place one half of the sticker in each shoe.
- Placing the back of the shoe against a stable surface like a wall provides support and balance for the child, preventing the shoe from moving around or tipping over as they try to slide their foot in
- Putting on socks requires using both hands simultaneously in coordinated movements. It can help to start with a scrunchie as it has a larger opening as children learn this movement. Use a scrunchie to cover the toes and gradually pulling it up the leg serves as an excellent method for grasping the fundamentals of putting on socks or pants
Tips for Teaching Kids to Dress Themselves
What does a child need to learn to do before they can put on a shirt?
An accessible wardrobe can help children feel motivated to learn this difficult skill.
Activities and tricks that might support them:
- Have your child hold a small toy in their hand and tell them to try to push it through the sleeve
- Enhance your wardrobe organization with visual dressing cards, offering clear guidance on where each item belongs and providing a step-by-step visual guide for dressing
- Undressing is easier than getting dressed independently, so it’s a great place to start
- Go up a size in clothes to give more space for them to navigate
- Limiting options as they pick outfits can help children have the independence and confidence to pick what to wear but still ensures they pick weather-appropriate outfits
- Newscast and describe everything thing you do as you put a shirt or pants on. This should be combined with lots of slow visuals, sometimes without talking
- A low mirror can help your child see how their clothes look on
- A Montessori dressing frame can help children learn particular skills for getting dressed
- Try the Montessori coat flip! Show your child how to put on the coat by first flipping it upside down so that the hood or collar is facing up and then flipping it over their head so that the coat ends up in the correct position
Incorporating Independence in Daily Routines
How can you encourage self-dressing as a part of your child's morning routine? How can you make this something they want to do?
- Create a visual schedule or checklist outlining the steps of the morning routine. This should include pictures or simple drawings
- Consider having special themed days where your child can dress up in costumes or wear their favorite outfits
- Try a song! Humans are rhythmic beings and a ritualistic song can help. It might not come naturally but it can change your day and your transitions
- To prevent doing so much work at once, you can encourage your child to select their outfit from their wardrobe the night before. This includes clothes, underwear, accessories, and shoes
- Periodically review how things are going to identify any areas for improvement. Be open to making changes based on their evolving needs
- Keep in mind that your child may get changed what feels like 100 times the first day you make clothes available to them
- Visual labels can help support their dressing environment
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all timeline for mastering these tasks; each child progresses uniquely. By offering support, encouragement, and patience, we can help our children become more self-reliant and capable individuals, setting a strong foundation for their lifelong journey of learning and growth.
