Hey Amma, Papa I’m getting closer to my third birthday, and I’m so excited to start learning how to dress myself. Getting dressed is an important step towards being independent, and it’s also a lot of fun. Here are some easy, Montessori-inspired tips that can help me learn to put on my clothes, like my pants, shirts, dresses, and coats.
Pants
Here’s how you can help me put on my pants, shorts, or anything with leg holes:
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Preparation: First, help me sit on the floor or on a small stool. Place my pants in front of me with the legs facing away and the tag side down on the floor.
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Leg Insertion: Guide me to insert one leg into one pant hole until my foot comes through. This might take some practice, and I might need your help. Repeat this with the other leg.
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Pulling Them Up: Encourage me to stand up and pull the pants up using my thumbs to adjust the waistband. I may need a little help in the beginning, but I can manage this by the time I’m around 26-28 months old.
Shirts and Dresses
Sometimes, putting on shirts or dresses can be confusing for me. Here’s how you can make it easier:
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Overhead Method: Lay the shirt or dress flat with the tag side facing down. Help me grab the hem that’s not touching the floor and then guide me to pull the garment over my head. Be sure to help me avoid putting my head through the armhole.
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Sleeves First Method: This might be simpler for me. Lay the shirt on the floor the same way and help me reach through one sleeve. I’ll pull my arm all the way through, then do the same with the other arm. Finally, I can use my thumbs to pull the shirt over my head.
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Coats and Jackets (The “Coat Flip”): Getting dressed for the winter months, especially when I must wear a coat or jacket, that can be tricky, but with the “coat flip” method, I can do it myself:
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Set Up: Lay the coat on the floor with the zipper or buttons facing up and the hood near my feet.
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The Flip: Help me place my hands inside the sleeve openings, and then I will flip the coat over my head. With enough practice, the coat will land in the right position, but you might need to adjust the sleeves.
Consistent Phrases
Using simple phrases will help me remember the steps:
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“Tag on the back” helps me know where the back of my clothes should be.
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“Lonely legs” is a fun reminder when I accidentally put both legs in the same pant leg.
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“Head hole” helps me understand where my head should go, especially when putting on shirts or dresses.