Quick hacks to help your toddler take part in getting dressed

A wiggle here, a jiggle there, and pop! One arm is through an item of clothing. This is an exciting stage of your toddler’s development; here are a few ideas of how you can encourage your toddler to help to move their arms or legs into the right position when getting dressed. 

• Choose suitable clothing – looser clothes are easier for your toddler to wiggle around in and help push their limbs through. Tighter clothes might cause arms and legs to get stuck on their journey. 
• Enhance the experience using sounds – adding silly noises can make getting dressed and undressed a lot of fun. If you put a jumper over your toddler's head and their head pops through, you could say, "Pop!" Or you might make a long sound while their leg is making its way down a pair of trousers until you see their foot appear.  
• Find a comfy position for getting dressed and undressed – find a comfortable position for your toddler to sit in as you help them put on and take off their clothes. They may prefer to sit on a chair, a cushion, or simply on the floor. Encourage your toddler to sit in a way that is comfortable for them and lets them move freely; this might mean moving off your lap for some parts of the getting dressed process. As their level of independence increases, having this experience will help them. 
• Try getting dressed in front of a mirror – toddlers love looking at themselves and they might be able to see things differently if they can view what is going on in the mirror. 
• Think about fabrics – some fabrics feel itchy, or clingy, and this might discourage your toddler from wanting to put them on. Check for any labels which might scratch or irritate them.