How to encourage your child to dress themselves. 6 parenting tips.

With everything that must be done in the morning, picking out clothes and dressing your child can become quite the battle. Very young children might still need your help getting dressed, but older children should handle the task on their own. Some children might just be stubborn, anxious, or too tired in the morning to dress themselves.

1. Avoid arguments and temper tantrums by getting your kids to dress themselves.

Whatever stage your child is in, you can help your child begin to dress themselves and save you time by using the following stress-free tips.

2. Make sure your child gets enough sleep.

Some children are not morning people, which makes decision-making and doing things all by themselves even harder. Try moving your child’s bedtime up 30 minutes to give them extra rest. Ensuring they are well-rested guarantees they are awake and happy enough to tackle clothes.

3. Include your child in picking out their clothes.

When you go shopping for clothes, give your child decision-making ability within reason. Show them two shirts and let them decide which one they want. Then, ask them to find some shorts or skirts that go with the shirt. Embrace an interchangeable color palette to afford your child more options and fewer arguments. They will start to learn how to coordinate and be able to have some control over their clothing, which they'll find rewarding.

4. Lay out clothes the night before.

During your child’s bedtime routine, you can pick out an outfit for the next day and lay it on a chair or hang it up. Some children might be intimidated by the decision of what to wear. Taking decision-making out of the equation might be enough to get your child to dress themselves the following day.

5. Put outfits together on hangers.

You can also assemble several outfits for your child at the beginning of the week. Every morning, your child can pick which outfit they would like. This technique saves time, removes the intimidation of choosing an outfit, and allows your child to play a part in picking out their clothes daily.

6. Give your child just enough help.

Start by asking, “Would you like me to help you get your shirt on? Or would you like to do it yourself?” If your child wants help, help just enough to complete the chore, ensuring you are helping and letting your child lead. If your child doesn’t wish to help, resist the urge to help. Another way to help indirectly is to reward the child’s advancements using a chore system and a universal wish list like Wishfinity. Each day, your child will do a little more independently, and they will soon dress themselves.