Can your almost three year old....

praline

dress themselves?  My DD #1 really resists trying to dress herself.  She can barely pull up her pants, forget about pulling a shirt over her head.  Sometimes she will put stuff on and off (especially off, she loves to be naked, lol) but not when it's time to get ready to go.

So I'm thinking...am I expecting something that isn't possible for her age, or do I need to help her motivate to do more for herself?  She will put her shoes on and off and unzip and hang up her coat when we come inside.

I'm thinking if I put her clothes where she can reach them, and let her pick them out that maybe it will motivate her to try to dress herself a little more?  She's always a little less coordinated than some kids her age (maybe due to her size..she's big) and maybe this is part of it?

WDYT?  Any ideas?

JOEBunny

Get her some princess clothes.  Seriously, that is how my DD learned to dress herself.  I still dress her most of the time because it takes her a while and she usually wears tights, which she can't get on, but she can put on a t-shirt and underware and pull on pants and has been able to since a little over 3.. 

buffalo_buckeye

My 3 yr old doesn't dress himself. He tries occasionally and if I push him he does ok. I should probably work on it with him but I don't. I figure he won't let me dress him forever, lol.

wellfleet04

Kate is (I think) a few weeks younger than your DD, also huge, and also quite uncoordinated.  She can do pants and undies, socks, and shoes, but not shirts.  She does her own snowpants and jacket at school but will not for me at home. 

CTFandme

ds will be three next week and I suppose he can, but he doesn't.  He has put on his underwear and he is constantly taking them off.  He definitely has the idea behind putting on his socks and pants, but has never been successful.  He has put on a shirt once or twice, but usually I just dress him.  I guess I should start letting him do this, huh?

mollynpatrick

My DS can put on his underwear, pants, socks and shoes. He can do his shirt if I get his head in the hole. He can put on his own feetie pajamas (with the zip). He can do his own outerwear with the exception of starting the zipper on his coat and he likes me to put his mittens on. So, not everything but a start.

minnasmommy

S dresses and undresses and re-dresses herself constantly. I actually counted the number of times she changed her clothes on saturday, just for the hell of it...it was 13!

and ditto pp about the dress up clothes! that's how the changing clothes obsession began for S! LOL 

Zenya

DS could NOT.  He is just starting now (3.5).  It's been a battle for a while and I wish I hadn't pushed it b/c in hindsight he was just not ready.

excitedchic

Yes, DD can dress herself, though she is not always willing. She cant get her pants buttoned and zipped so well on her own though.

Encourage her to try and then assist. Thats my advice. 

MelandJeff

Ian can not. He can get undressed, but not dressed. He just started trying the last couple of weeks, and today was the first time he said he wanted to get dressed and "I do it alll by myself" prior to that he had no interest.

praline

Dress up clothes is a good idea!  I did forget to say that she can get her tutu on and off, lol.  I think I just need to get her more involved in the process.  I think she needs to have a few more responsibilities so she can see for herself what she can accomplish. 

Wellfleet...yes, DD is 04-30..they sound so much alike.

praline

Zenya:

DS could NOT.  He is just starting now (3.5).  It's been a battle for a while and I wish I hadn't pushed it b/c in hindsight he was just not ready.

Hmmm, well, this sounds like us and potty training, not that I pushed too much, but this is why I was trying to get a feel for other kids her age.  Then again I guess they are all individuals!

josie402

DS can't and he just turned 3.  He can takes his clothes off, but doesn't really even want to pull his underwear/pants up if I get them started. 

DevonPow

DS has zero interest in dressing himself. He can take off his coat (or any zip up sweater/shirt) and shoes, and that's it. I am sure he could take off his socks but he hates being barefoot so he has never done it. He tried to take off t-shirts occassionally and can't.  The only thing he can put on is his hat - lol.

He also has zero interest in costumes. Just not his thing.

 

Zenya

praline:

Zenya:

DS could NOT.  He is just starting now (3.5).  It's been a battle for a while and I wish I hadn't pushed it b/c in hindsight he was just not ready.

Hmmm, well, this sounds like us and potty training, not that I pushed too much, but this is why I was trying to get a feel for other kids her age.  Then again I guess they are all individuals!

I pushed that too much, too.  I think I've finally learned that DS is the kind of child who only wants to do things well.  So his pattern is to be slightly behind... and then shoots ahead.  He grasps things quickly once he's ready.  But not a second before.  

annak23

She can when she wants to.  Sometimes she gets distracted or excited about something else. She will most of the time put her shoes/socks & coat on all by herself.

butterbeansmama

He can put on his underwear, pants, socks, shoes, hat and coat. Shirts are a struggle. He can undress himself completely though.

Whether or not he chooses to do so, is another matter. We also get the "I do it myyyy seeelllfff", but only when it's convenient for him....lol.

pincushions

DD dresses herself at at almost 3. She has for about 3 months now.

Miles nevers showed any interest and still needs help most of the time.

Chrisy-Wyobride

My almost 3 yr old would rather die than have me help her dress...She is fiercely independent in that regard.  I have no idea why, but she is & it's a pain at times.  That being said, my 5yr old still had me dress her until I realized her sister was doing it at 2.5 & I told her that she needed to do it herself--LOL!

PS--My DD#2's clothes are where she can reach them & she does pick them out herself 

mrshutch

mollynpatrick:

My DS can put on his underwear, pants, socks and shoes. He can do his shirt if I get his head in the hole. He can put on his own feetie pajamas (with the zip). He can do his own outerwear with the exception of starting the zipper on his coat and he likes me to put his mittens on. So, not everything but a start.

This for our DD. Shirts can be tough b/c she generally can't pull her head through the hole. I get the zippers started and she pulls them up. She's pretty independent and likes to do things herself, but at least she knows when to call it quits and ask for help

wildfloweragain

DS can do it, but he was motivation to do it early.  He needs me to snap his pants.  DS and DD both still need me to help take off their shirts.

WBs_Bride

DD started wanting to do it herself right around 3.5, but she wasn't too great at it. She's pretty good now that she just turned 4, though, aside from the occasional backwards pants!

winomom22

DD can put her underwear, socks, pants (needs help with zipper and button) and shirt on. She can take everything off except her shirt. Her problem is getting distracted and not finishing getting dressed after I have asked her to do it so I usually have to sit in there with her and keep reminding her to stay on task. She can also put her shoes/boots on but usually gets them on the wrong feet as well as her coat, mittons, hat, and scarf. Preschool has helped with this. I have been really pushing lately for her to do more stuff on her own that I know she is capable of. If I let her,she would let me do everything for her which is the quickest and easiest in the short run, but I know with a new baby on the way it will be easier in the long run if she can do these things on her own after the baby is born.