Starting as young as 12-18 months, your child began developing the ability and interest in taking off simple articles of clothing on his own, such as shoes and socks. Now at three years old, he possesses the stronger fine motor abilities, control of motion, and self-help skills to do nearly all of his dressing and undressing without your assistance.

(Playful Bee is launching our new DIY Preschool from Birth program! Click here to enroll.)

Play Tips:

How can you support your child’s development of this Self-Concept skill at this age? It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Use a low stool for support. Young children typically have trouble keeping their balance when they try to put on their pants or skirts (adults do, too!). While seated, guide him in putting one foot through a leg hole onto the floor and pulling the pant leg up to his knee before attempting to put the other foot through the other pant leg. With both feet firmly on the ground, have him pull up his pants while standing.
2. Offer loose-fitting, pliable clothes. At this age, your child will likely still have difficulties getting into tight turtlenecks and form-fitting shirts and sweaters. You can help your child self-dress by offering a wide variety of loose-fitting, stretchy t-shirts, sweaters, and pants.
3. Ditch the zippers and buttons and go simple. Although your child’s fine motor skills are more advanced, three-year-olds often continue to struggle with tricky zippers and button pant flies, belt buckles, small buttons, and detailed snaps on shirts. Make it easier for your child to become a successful self-dresser by going simple with his wardrobe: elastic waist pants, plain t-shirts, pullover dresses, and big buttons.

(Playful Bee is launching our new DIY Preschool from Birth program! Click here to enroll.)

Developmental Milestones:

Has your baby achieved the following  Self-Concept developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all the skill(s) she has already mastered to date using Playful Bee’s developmental milestones tracker. It’s absolutely FREE and easy to use, just click HERE!

• Dresses and undresses self without assistance.

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Playful Bee

Education Team at Playful Bee

Playful Bee is an e-Preschool that delivers inquiry-based preschool learning from the classroom to your home. Our preschool curriculum was created by our talented team of rock star teachers. With years of hands-on preschool and Kindergarten teaching experience, they've developed a high-quality preschool experience that is convenient-to-use and easy-to-teach by you, grandparents, or your nanny at home.

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