Dressing Skills: How Our Occupational Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot Can Help Your Child
Dressing is a key milestone for every child. It’s not just about getting ready for the day – learning to dress themselves helps children build independence and confidence. But mastering this skill isn’t always easy. Children need to develop a range of complex motor patterns to manipulate their clothing and bodies. That’s where our Occupational Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot step in. We’re here to help children who find dressing challenging and support them every step of the way.
When Should Children Start Dressing Themselves?
Dressing is a skill that develops over time, with children first learning to undress before they can dress themselves. At around 18 months, many children start taking off their socks, shoes, and pants. This skill is easier to master, which is why you might find your little one running around in their birthday suit more often than not!
Children typically start learning to put their clothes back on between 2 ½ to 3 years of age. They usually begin with simple clothing that doesn’t have tricky buttons or zippers. With practice and patience, they gradually gain the ability to dress themselves independently.
What Skills Do Children Need to Dress Themselves?
Dressing involves more than just pulling on a t-shirt or zipping up a jacket. It requires coordination, balance, and planning. Here are some of the key skills children need to master to dress independently:
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Your child needs to be able to judge where to place their body and limbs. This helps them get their arms through shirt sleeves or their legs through pants.
- Midline Crossing and Trunk Rotation: Dressing often requires a child to hold clothing with one hand, rotate their body, and use the other hand to put on the clothing. This coordination of movements is crucial for success.
- Balance: Standing on one foot while pulling on a pair of pants requires good balance. Your child needs to be able to keep their body steady as they move their legs and arms.
- Fine Motor Skills: Fastening buttons, pressing duds, and tying shoelaces all depend on fine motor skills. These small but precise movements are essential for managing clothing.
- Motor Planning: Dressing requires your child to plan multiple movements in a specific sequence. For example, they need to think through the steps of putting on a shirt – from lifting it over their head to pulling it down over their body.
When you think about it, dressing involves a lot of different movements. Giving your child the chance to practise these skills by supporting them in dressing themselves is essential. The sense of achievement and independence they gain is a powerful psychological and emotional milestone.
What If My Child Can’t Dress Themselves?
If your child is struggling with dressing, you’re not alone – and we’re here to help. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we understand the challenges some children face when learning to dress. Our Occupational Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot are experts at helping children develop the skills they need to become more independent.
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive. Our clinics provide a supportive environment where children can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential. Through innovative therapy techniques, we work with your child to build the motor skills, coordination, and planning they need to dress themselves confidently.
Reach Out for Support
If you’re concerned about your child’s dressing skills , self-care skills, or want to learn more about how occupational therapy can help, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here for you. Our experienced Occupational Therapists are AHPRA registered and dedicated to supporting your child’s unique journey.
Contact our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics on (02) 8065 7837 or send us an email. You can also book a phone consultation to discuss your concerns and learn how we can help your child grow and succeed.
Together, let’s make dressing – and every milestone – a success for your child!
We are a dedicated team of Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Certified ESDM Therapists, and Psychologists, serving families in Bondi Junction and Mascot, Sydney’s Eastern suburbs. Our clinics are tailored to provide exceptional intervention for children with autism, developmental delays, disabilities, and learning difficulties, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support.
