My son just turned 3 a few weeks ago. He knows how to pull his pants (and underwear) up and down. But he doesn't know how to button or zip his pants. Therefore, we always have to put him in pants or shorts with an elastic waist.
He has no idea how to put a shirt on. He can't put socks on. But he can put his shoes on (20% of the time he puts the shoe on the wrong foot).
At what age do kids figure this stuff out? Should I be teaching him how to do this?
Thanks.
mari
2007-07-12 08:57:47 · 22 answers · asked by mari m 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Oh my...let me clarify. Of course I'll help him (I'm helping him). What I was wondering about is whether or not I should be worried about his development (motor skills) if he can't button his jeans or put his t-shirt on. In other words, is getting dressed a task that 3 year olds should manage themselves (like walking, jumping, feeding themselves) or is it something that can be learned in time and not anything to worry about yet.
Thanks.
2007-07-12 09:21:02 · update #1
My son just turnes three and is about like that. He can zip with help and put his shirt on. He can't button and only puts socks on his hands LOL. I have been told that he's a little ahead in this area so it would seem you are right on track. You can try to teach these things or you can have a good laugh watching them figure it out on their own or a mixture of both. They make toys and books with laces, zippers, buttons, etc. that are designed to let them practice but there is a big difference between doing a task in front of you and on your waistband. To teach the shirt just pull it over their head and arms. At first pull it over their head but leave there arms in. They will quickly learn to get their arms out on their own. When they do this automatically,
start leaving their head inside too and they will figure out how to get it all out through the right holes (with some patience and help from you) After that it's just convincing them to put the shirt over their own head. Good luck.
2007-07-12 09:14:50 · answer #1 · answered by leavemealone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 3 year old sometimes can't resist reverse psychology. If I ask him to get dressed and he argues. I say, "oh yeah, you can't get dressed by yourself. You're not big enough." Now, keep in mind, this is a 3 year old we are talking about. What works for us one day, wont work the next. Of course it helps that he has an older sister, so he is actually more independent than she was at this age.
2016-03-15 03:03:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son turns 3 in two weeks, he can zip now, but buttons and snaps are really hard. He gets his socks on backwards, and his underwear sometimes too. I let him dress himself and if he needs help (buttons and snaps) I have him do it while I help so he can see what I'm doing. I also bought a "busy book" that has ties, zippers, belts, snaps and buttons to practive on. He uses the book for 5-10 minutes every day for extra practice. Your son will get it, his little fingers aren't very strong yet, playdough helps him build up muscles!!
2007-07-12 10:34:53 · answer #3 · answered by Carol R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be working with him on it but it's not unusual that he needs help still. Buttons and zippers are tough and so are socks. You can get toys or dressing plates to help him work with buttoning, snapping, zipping and tying. If you're crafty you could make them as well.
All will come in time. He's barely 3, before you know it, not only will he not need your help, he won't want it!
2007-07-12 09:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's making good progress for his age. He shouldn't entirely dress himself, but maybe he can pick out some of his outfits. All kids are different, but it may be helpful to instruct him on how to button and zip his pants, pull on a shirt, etc. Soon he'll be able to manage it all by himself.
2007-07-12 09:03:22 · answer #5 · answered by Taylor S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some 5 and 6 year olds need help getting dressed. he'll get it all eventually. at 3 he doesn't have the fine motor skills to button or tie or zip.
2007-07-12 09:24:56 · answer #6 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think he is fine . he is a young 3 . my daughter was an old 4 before she could button and in kindergarden before she could even tie a shoe , she would try but it was difficult for her . each kid has their own time table but he should try to dress himself for practice because soon he will not want any help from anyone . yes you should take a couple minutes to show him how to button and zip ( by the way i was 27 before i could zipper a coat I lived in Florida before I move to Ohio and had to wear a winter coat !! ) he will catch on !
2007-07-12 09:04:24 · answer #7 · answered by jgilbertdo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, sure, you can help him out. Teach him as best you can. But don't get angry if he does something wrong. He is only 3. ^^ He probably won't be proficient until he's about 5 or 6.
2007-07-12 09:01:37 · answer #8 · answered by Riven Liether 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way for him to learn is to make him to it himself. If you keep putting him in clothes with elastic bands, he'll never learn. Put him in a pair with a zipper and button and make him do it by himself, he may get frustrated, but once he does it he'll be so excited. The best way to learn is through trial and error
2007-07-12 09:01:34 · answer #9 · answered by cole 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OH goodenss yes. He will not learn until he tries. I let me 3 year old do as much as he can until he can't figure it out, then I show him. Work with him.
2007-07-12 09:01:58 · answer #10 · answered by Linda M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋