Have you been teaching your child to dress themselves but are noticing they're still getting frustrated? Well, you're not alone, many parents have had the same experience. Teaching your child to dress themselves without assistance can be quite a difficult and frustrating task. That’s why we've put together some tips to help you on your way. With a bit of guidance and practice, it can be a breeze!

Why you should teach your child to dress up on their own

 One of the most important things you can teach your kid is how to dress themselves without your assistance. Being able to put on their   clothes without any help is an important skill and something they will need to be able to do by themselves ready for PE lessons or swimming lessons. It can be a daunting task, and maybe a little frustrating at first, but with a little patience and these 9 tips, you'll have your child dressing themselves in no time!

Here are our 9 top tips to help your child learn to dress themselves 

1. Elastic Trousers or Skirts

Our first tip is to buy trousers or skirts that have an elastic waistband. These are designed to be pulled on and off without having to fuss with a zipper or button. They're perfect for kids who are just learning how to dress themselves as they simply need to just pull them up. They are also extremely comfortable as the elastic makes them stretchy which will allow them to move more freely.

2. Sit down when dressing 

Another good tip is to sit down with them when you're helping them get dressed. This will help them to see what you're doing and how it's done. It can also be helpful to have a mirror nearby so they can see what they're doing.

3. Push arms through sleeves  

A helpful tip for teaching your child to put their shirt on by themselves is to push their arms through the sleeves first. This will help them understand the process of putting their arms in the sleeves without getting too frustrated. Once they've got it, they'll be able to do it on their own in no time!

4. Encourage them to button up   

Buttoning up a shirt can be one of the most difficult things for a child to learn. A good tip is to teach them to start buttoning from the bottom rather than the top. Once they've got it, they'll be able to button up their clothes by themselves in no time!

5. Lay out the clothes    

Another good tip is to lay out their clothes for them before you start. This will help them to see what goes where and make it easier for them to get dressed. Once they've got the hang of it, they'll be able to prepare and dress without any help from you!

6. Distinguish between front and back   

One common issue that children have when trying to dress themselves is distinguishing between the front and back of their clothes. This can be especially difficult with shirts, so it's important to take the time to teach them which is which. A good way to do this is to put a small tag or label on the back of the shirt so they can easily tell.

7. Start with removing

If your child is having trouble getting dressed, a good tip is to start with removing their clothes first. Once they've got it, they can then move on to putting their clothes on themselves which should hopefully be a little easier for them.

8. Easy shoes

When teaching your child to dress themselves, it is important to start with shoes that are easy to put on such as plimsolls. This will make things less frustrating for both of you and it will help them understand the process. Once they've mastered putting on these simple shoes, they'll be able to tackle harder ones in no time!

9. Easy wear shirts   

You can also help your kid to learn to dress and prepare themselves by buying them easy-to-wear shirts. These are shirts that have snaps on the front, so they are easy to put on and take off. They're perfect for kids who are just starting to learn how to dress themselves, and they're comfortable and easy to wear.

Teaching children how to dress up is a great way to help them become more independent and prepared for PE lessons. With these nine helpful tips, you'll have your child getting dressed by themselves in no time!  Just remember to be patient and have fun with it – eventually, they'll get the hang of it and you will be able to enjoy watching them grow up!