Some children find dressing difficult because they have problems with movement or learning difficulties. All children learn to take off their clothes first. You can help your child by breaking the task into small steps and getting them to help you at first. As they get better, you can let them do that part of dressing by themselves.
If you use this advice and don’t see any improvement after 3 months, please contact the Children and Young People’s Therapy Service for more help.
What you may see
- Children might not want to dress themselves.
- Children might ask for help and look for reassurance.
- Clothes might be put on the wrong way round or inside out.
- Clothes might be twisted on the body.
- Some clothes might be left off because they were forgotten.
- Children might feel upset and frustrated because they can’t dress by themselves.
Strategies and advice
- Choose loose fitting clothes with minimal fastenings. Look for tops with easy openings, stretchy socks and elasticated waists.
- Start by teaching your child to undress as this is easier than dressing.
- Then encourage your child to help in the process of undressing and dressing, for example by waiting for your child to push their arm through a sleeve.
- Make sure your child is well supported in a sitting or standing position so that their hands are free to use. If they have poor balance, get them to sit on a chair or use a corner wall for support.
- Talk your child through the order in which clothes are put on, for example which items are put on first. Draw attention to different parts of the body and name them to help improve their body awareness.
- Start a routine to avoid confusion, so that the activity becomes predictable. Keep the sequence of dressing and undressing the same.
- Try to practise when you are not rushed. Allow time for your child to cooperate in the process. For example pause when their arm is placed in the sleeve hole so that they can push their arm through independently.
- Practise dressing in the evening or at weekends when there is time.
- Lay the clothes out in the order they are put on. Lay jumpers out with the bottom edge nearest the child and the neck furthest away.
- When you help your child to dress, use simple words and actions, like saying “give me your foot.”
- Practise dressing and undressing during with a doll or in dressing up games.
- Dress in front of a mirror so they can see what they are doing.
- Provide a visual timetable or schedule. This can help the child to keep track of the stages involved.
Remember to reinforce effort and give positive feedback.
Suggested resources
Hints and tips for activities of daily living. Author Morven Ball
Pre-dressing skills. Tuscan A.Z, Therapy Skill Builders. Author Marsha Dunn Klein
The following websites have useful resources to support dressing skills.
Last reviewed September 2025