When Will My Toddler Dress Himself?

There are many benefits when your toddler begins to dress himself.  Self-dressing is a key step in the potty training process.  Also, this type of achievement can have a huge impact on your child’s self-esteem and feelings of self-confidence.  Undressing skills typically emerge between the ages of 13-24 months of age.  Once a child learns how to undress, it is not unusual to find your child completely naked when you walk in to greet him/her in the crib each morning.  These are skills that the child will want to duplicate again and again for the sake of mastery!  She may be able to put on loose-fitting clothing as early as 24 months, but it may be a few additional months before she can put on something as snug fit as a t-shirt.  It is essential at this stage of development to dress your child in clothing that is easy for him/her to manage independently.  Two-piece outfits with elastic waistbands are the best outfits with which to learn to dress and undress.  One piece outfits, overalls, and belts can make it very challenging for a child to master these new skills.  Beginning at the age of three or older, a child may be able to dress and undress independently. 
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What is Involved in Dressing?
Gross Motor Skills (Large Muscle Movements):  Moving both arms and legs with coordination, Balancing on one foot while stepping in and out of clothing
Fine Motor Skills (Small Muscle Movements & Hand-Eye Coordination):  Finger coordination for zippers, buttons, etc.
Progression of Clothing Difficulty

1. Elastic Waistbands
2. Velcro
3. Zippers
4. Buttons
5. Buckles & Laces

Buttons, buckles, and laces can be significantly more complicated than elastic, Velcro, and zippers, so make sure to give children plenty of practice with the other items first.
Cognitive Skills:  Understanding sequencing (what comes first, second, etc.), What clothing is weather appropriate, and what colors match

When You First Begin

• Your child may initially put her shirt on backwards or put her pants on inside out.  Make sure to celebrate these initial accomplishments in order to give her a sense of achievement.  If you need to leave the house later and want to correct the error, do so gently while still encouraging her initial hard work!
• Expect the learning process to take the child a while and be patient during his initial attempts.  The more practice he has, the sooner he will be completely independent in the process.
• By the time your child is 2 ½ or 3 years old, if she is not attempting to undress or dress herself, look to see if you are doing too much for your child or if you are dressing her in clothing that does not allow her enough independence.
• If your child still seems to be struggling with the skills involved in undressing and dressing, it may be time to ask your pediatrician questions about your child’s skill with the abilities involved in the process.