Read on to find out why you should consider letting your child choose their own clothes, and how to handle the situation when they get to this stage.

Why should you let your little one choose his/her clothes?

1. It allows them to express themselves

The clothes you wear reflect your personality. For a child, picking out an outfit for the first time is so much more than choosing something nice to wear; it can be an opportunity for them to express their likes, dislikes, and opinions in general. Don’t be surprised to discover that their taste in clothing is the polar opposite of yours. Keep in mind that the first couple of items that they will pick for themselves are about experimenting to find their style, so be patient!

2. It lets them practice decision making

It may not seem like a big deal, but allowing your little ones to pick out their clothes while they’re still young can help to cultivate their problem-solving skills. Allow them plenty of opportunities to weigh up their options and make a decision, a skill that they will find useful later in life.

3. They will wear what you buy them

Any parent can tell you how frustrating it can be to buy clothes for your child, only for them to refuse to wear them. When you allow your kids to pick out their own outfits, they’re more likely to wear what you but them. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about spending your mornings trying to convince them to wear an outfit that you picked out for them.

4. It helps to foster independence

When kids get to choose their outfits, they are more willing to learn how to get dressed which encourages them to be more independent as well as inspires them to take more charge when it comes to their daily routine. Furthermore, by letting them pick out what they want to wear, you get more time to complete other tasks at hand.

5. It can be a way for them to start learning about money and budgeting

You can take it a step further by taking your kids along with you on your next shopping trip and letting them pick out the outfits they like for you to buy. You can use this opportunity to introduce them to money and budgeting at an early age. This way, you could help foster a healthy outlook towards spending that will encourage them to be sensible with their money when they’re older.

How to go about letting your child choose their clothes

1. Give choices

Most toddlers and pre-schoolers want to have more control over their lives, and getting to pick out their clothes is one way they feel they can achieve this. So whenever you can, let them have it. To make sure that you have control of the outcome, provide your child with choices. For example, ask, “Would you prefer to wear the black coat or the blue one?” Having a say will make your little one less likely to throw tantrums.

2. Plan ahead

To plan, try making a step-by-step guide of your kid's routine by taking pictures of them doing various activities. These photos could show him waking up, washing his face, brushing his teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast. Hang it in his room, and he is likely to follow it each day. If you allow him to pick out an outfit the night before, you can avoid having to deal with tantrums and tears in the morning.

3. Practice makes perfect

By the time they are 3 years old, most kids can pull on a sweatshirt, underwear, and elastic-waist pants. Most children enjoy doing this as it makes them feel confident and competent. So even if tests your patience, give your little one the chance to dress as often as possible, especially on slow-moving weekends when there isn't much to do. Remember, the more power you give to get dressed, the less of a hassle it will be.

4. Make a game of it

A preschooler doesn't understand the urgency of having to leave the house on time in the morning, which is why they would rather do anything else than getting dressed. Keeping this in mind, make their dressing up routine more fun by turning it into a game. For example, say, "I'm going to set a timer to see how long it take you to put on your underwear, pants, and shirt." Reward your child if he can get dressed before the buzzer goes off.

5. Allow for taste

Do you dislike itchy sweaters? Can't stand cargo shorts? Likely, your child will also have clothes that he/she dislikes. Therefore, try to be flexible about your little one's preferences, as long as it is within reason. There may be an easy solution to some of your child’s pet peeves – you can cut off itchy shirt tags or turn socks with uncomfortable seams inside out. And if he wants to wear shorts every day – well, why not? If you are concerned that he may be cold, you can always add tights underneath.

6. The winter coat struggle

If your child doesn’t feel cold while spending time indoors, why force him to put on a bulky jacket over his perfectly cozy outfit? Allow your child to shed layers and dress as he pleases as long as it is warm inside. He will feel different once he is outdoors. Unless it is unbearably cold, carry his coat for him if he can’t be bothered to put it on. If he gets cold, he will ask for the coat.

Final thoughts

Children enjoy exploring, discovering, and pushing boundaries. Allowing your little one to choose the outfits they want to wear could aid in their development, expand their creativity, and help with their independence, confidence, as well as financial management in the future.

This post looks into the most appropriate age to let your kids choose what they wear, as well as why you should do it and some tricks on how to go about it.

At what age should you start letting your kids pick their clothes?

Most kids master the basics of getting dressed by the time they are 3 years old. At this age, they can choose outfits that they like. It is usually around this age when you start noticing that they are a bit pickier with their outfits.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you should wait a bit longer, at least when they are 4 or 5, before allowing full control over what they wear. That said, the "ideal" age typically varies, because no two children are the same.

Why should you let your kid choose what they wear?

Here are some of the reasons why you may want to let your kids have more of a say in what they wear.

1. Self-expression

As your children get older, they start to form their own thoughts and develop a unique sense of style. As a result, picking an outfit becomes more than just finding something decent to wear. Allowing them to choose what to wear gives them the freedom to dress based on how they feel. If they’re feeling upbeat, they will likely gravitate towards bright, colorful clothes.

Sure, your kids will probably pick something outrageous that you would have never chosen for them, but is that such a big deal? Letting your kids express themselves in this way helps them learn to share their feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

2. Building a sense of individuality

Closely related to self-expression is building a sense of individuality. After all, you want your little ones to have a unique sense of character. When kids get to choose what they wear, it allows them to stand out as individuals.

That said, in some situations, such as schools that require uniforms, funerals, or weddings, you may need to make them understand why they have to adhere to a given dress code. However, on a normal day, it’s okay to allow your kids to express their individuality. By allowing them to develop a sense of individuality, you encourage them to not worry about trying to fit in and conform to societal norms.

3. It can save you time

While it may seem like you're throwing in the towel, allowing your kids to choose their outfits can make your life a whole lot easier. As a parent, you know how draining it can be to try reasoning with your kids to get them to wear what you want. Why not forfeit this battle and save yourself the hassle?

While it is important to instill discipline in your children, you don’t want them to grow up in an environment where they have little to no control as it will stunt their growth and learning.

4. They will wear what they pick

Another reason why you may want to consider letting your kids choose what they wear is that they will wear the clothes they pick. You may buy your kids clothes that you consider stylish, but if they don’t like them, don’t be surprised if they end up at the back of their wardrobes, never to be worn. If you allow them to pick out clothes for themselves, you can be assured that they will wear them, at least for some time.

5. They can start to learn the value of things

By teaching your kids the value of things such as clothes, you help them develop a sense of budgeting, a skill that can be honed and come in handy in the future. Whenever you go shopping, bring your kids along, and let them know the value of items, so that they are aware of what is affordable and what is simply out of reach. This can help them become more conscious of how they manage their finances when they have their incomes.

6. It’s fun and exciting for them

Many kids tend to require quite a bit of convincing to get dressed when they have no say in what they wear. When you let kids choose what they wear, getting dressed can be a fun and exciting experience that they look forward to each day.

Tips for when kids want to choose what they wear

1. Give options

Kids want control, so why not let them have it in this aspect of their life? After all, you can still control the outcome of how they dress by providing them with choices. For example, ask, “Do you want to wear sweatpants or shorts today?”

2. Be patient

Letting your kids choose what they wear can be nerve-wracking, especially since whatever they pick will probably not be what you would have wanted for them. Exercise restraint even if it tests your patience, and allow room for your little one to experiment and play around as they develop their unique sense of style. With a bit of practice, they will figure out what works best for them. Try this for day-to-day wear, or slow-moving weekends when there isn’t much to do.

3. Allow taste

Just like any other person, your kid likely has clothes that he/she can’t stand. Try to be flexible and understanding of their preferences, as long as they are within reason. You may even discover some easy solutions to your kid’s dislikes – you can cut off an irritating tag or have them wear tights under their shorts when they don’t want to wear jeans on chilly days – just make that their comfort is your main priority.

Final thoughts

Over time, your kids will want a say when it comes to their fashion choices. Giving up a bit of control when it comes to your child’s wardrobe shouldn’t be a cause for worry. As long as your little nugget is confident, comfortable, and happy, they’ll be fine!

Clothing solutions for kids with SPD

1. Look for super-soft clothes

If your kid can’t bear the feel of scratchy or stiff fabrics, or clothing that has appliqued designs or rough edges. Go for tops that don’t feature heavy decorations and shirts without collars (the reverse side may be textured, stiff, or itchy). Choose to buy loose pants with elastic waistbands. For some children, you may want to avoid jeans or other pants that zip up as they can feel rough or heavy.

You may also want to consider clothes that have been washed many times or already been worn, such as hand-me-downs or thrift store finds, as they are considerably softer than new clothes This is especially true for outerwear which tends to be stiff when new.

2. Avoid items that have tags and seams

These clothing features can be especially irritating for kids that have sensory issues – a misaligned sock seam or a simple shirt tag can cause be unbearable for those with SPD. A majority of retailers now offer seamless and tagless clothing both online and in stores. However, if these items are not easy to find or afford, you can try placing adhesive bandages over tags or snip them off as close to the seam as possible.

3. Avoid clothes that have tricky fasteners

SPD can affect a child's motor skills. As a result, tasks such as zipping, snapping, and buttoning clothing are very frustrating. Avoid clothes with these types of fasteners, going for Velcro fasteners or drawstrings where possible.

4. Go for clothes made from natural fabric

Clothing made from synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, and viscose can make kids who have sensory issues uncomfortable. Instead of going for synthetic blends, consider selecting natural, breathable fabric such as 100% cotton, linen, silk, and bamboo rayon.

5. Choose items that don’t bunch up

Choose clothes that don’t bunch up. For boys with SPD, avoid boxer shorts, opting to go for briefs instead. Also, consider choosing bathing suits that don't have a netting liner. When shopping for girls, look for bras that fit without slipping down the shoulders – to be on the safe side. Go for sports bras or racerback style varieties.

7. Be flexible when it comes to weather-appropriate clothing

A majority of kids with SPD find winter clothes to be bothersome. Therefore, you may want to have them practice wearing these clothes for brief periods before it becomes really cold to get them used to the feel. Alternatively, you can dress your child in layers so that they have an easy time removing outerwear once they are indoors. Another option is to buy less stiff/softer items such as fleeces or sweatshirts for kids who hate the feel of coats.

8. Choose heavy clothing

Some kids that have SPD derive a sense of comfort from being covered in heavy clothing. If this is your child's preference, you may want to add thicker layers rather than several thin layers during the winter to give them that “cocoon’ feeling.

9. Experiment with nighttime clothes

SPD can affect your kid's sleeping pattern, especially if they find their pajamas uncomfortable. Try asking them if they prefer lighter or heavier blankets, flannel, or cotton choices, and inquire about any other texture issues that they may have.

10. Go for comfortable undergarments

Ensure that the undergarments you choose for your little one are tagless and seamless. This way, he/she will be better equipped to deal with other layers that may not feel as comfortable.

11. -Avoid socks that slip

You want to steer clear of socks that slouch or slip down into the insides of shoes as they tend to trigger sensations that are associated with SPD.

12. Try compression undershirts

Choose compression undershirts that have a seamless torso, extra-wide shoulder straps, and soft edging for a soft feel and all-day comfort. The deep pressure feeling that a compression undershirt brings about provides the ideal amount of firmness for a gentle “hug” feel that can help or focus and SPD-affected kid who prefers a deep sensory input.

How to deal with sensory issues with clothing

- Offer choices

As soon as your child has a better understanding of their body experience, they become more willing to try things that are out of their comfort zone. To encourage this, consider offering choices – you can start by giving them two pairs of pants or dresses to choose from, preferably of different textures or fit.

- Never force

It might be tempting to force your little one to wear a particular pair of socks or pants, but this can only prove to be detrimental to their sensory system and make things worse. Furthermore, this will only make them more resistant in the future as they will assume that you don’t understand.

- Be understanding

When you notice that you are getting frustrated by your child's sensory issues, try to put yourself in their shoes, and imagine how uncomfortable they must be feeling. This way, you will find yourself handling their outbursts with a bit more patience.

- Give them extra time

When you are aware that your kid has sensory issues with clothes, you are in a better position to deal with them. Because sensory systems are in constant fluctuation, you might notice that what bothers them today may not be an issue the next. Take the time to pick up on their triggers and reactions to start working through them.

Final thoughts

When kids have sensory processing issues with clothing, it can be confusing, overwhelming, and exhausting, both for you and them. Instead of trying to force them to wear something that they are uncomfortable with, consider the above-suggested sensory-friendly clothing ideas, and most of all, try to be understanding of what they are going through.

When your little one learns how to get dressed without your help, it also helps them develop other crucial skills like fine motor skills, gross motor skills, cognitive skills, and more.

That said, teaching a child how to dress independently can be rather difficult. That's why in this article, you'll find some of the most effective tips that will help you teach your little one how to dress by themselves and gain some confidence while at it. 

1. Make them sit down 

The first step to learning how to dress independently is getting comfortable. Your little one needs to have proper balance and to try to use their core the entire time. Sitting down will prove especially useful when learning how to wear pants, shoes, or socks.

Sitting down also allows them to focus entirely on one thing. They'll get to avoid the distraction that comes with trying to balance while dressing at the same time. 

2. Start slow

You want to start them off with the easy stuff. Since it is easier for kids to take off their clothes than to put them on, this should be your starting point. You can then gradually progress with increasingly challenging tasks until they are proficient. 

Starting them slow in this way will help boost their confidence going forward. Plus, when kids are getting dressed, most of the time, it is usually as part of a set schedule, like getting ready for school. This puts a lot of pressure on the process. Taking the clothes off, on the other hand, is usually part of a more relaxed session, like around bedtime. 

Starting your little one off with simple tasks like undressing will also spark an independent interest within them towards dressing by themselves. They'll start thinking, if I can do this, why not that, too? This will make the process of teaching them how to get dressed on their own a lot easier for you. 

3. Get clothes with elastic waists

Whether its pants, shorts, or skirts, elastic waists will go a long way in making the process of helping your little one learn how to dress by themselves a lot easier. 

Elastic waist bands are easy to put on and pull off. Therefore, whenever you can, go for sweatpants, simple skirts, or shorts. You can also opt for skirts that come with inner shorts for extra comfort. 

Once they are comfortable with putting on their elastic pants, you can then graduate to pants with buttons or a snap. Proceed through each step gradually until they are able to dress themselves fully.  

4. Get them to participate

Before their first lesson, you should make it a habit to have them participate in the process of putting on clothes. Things like pushing arms through sleeves and pulling up pants may seem trivial, but they go a long way in helping them learn how clothes work. 

Encourage them to find their way around their pants, t-shirts and sweaters. Doing this will build their confidence and make them believe that they can do it independently if they had to. 

5. Teach them how buttons and snaps work

This is one of the most challenging parts of wearing shirts or jackets. However, you need to start encouraging them to do it on their own. Sure, it might take a little longer at first, and it might even end up looking wrong and mismatched when they are done, but the experience adds up and they'll get better at it with time. 

6. Get organized

Lay out their clothes correctly in the morning or in the evening. You want to make dressing up as easy as possible. You should also arrange their wardrobe in a consistent way; pants separated from shirts and so on. 

If your child is a little older, you can even let them help out. Show them how to properly arrange a wardrobe and how to lay out the clothes they need to put on.

Kids thrive on order. When you take the doubt out of what clothes they need to put on, getting through it becomes easier for them. Consider storing their clothes in labelled drawers to make things even easier and more fun for them.   

7. Patience is key

We touched on this a little earlier on, but the importance of patience when teaching your child how to dress themselves cannot be overstated. 

Try to make the process fun for both of you. You could incorporate games and rewards into it. The most important thing is not to be frustrated at their failure. Kids pick up on these things, and when they notice your frustration, it chips away at their confidence. This might end up taking you a lot of steps backwards in your progress. 

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it's all about being realistic. No one can figure out how to dress by themselves within one day. Be patient and let your child learn gradually through practice.

For even better results, demonstrate how to do things. For example, you can button your shirts together, or let them dress in front of a mirror so they can see what they are doing. This will make it easier for them to identify their mistakes and figure out what to do about them. 

Learning how to get dressed will help boost your child’s confidence and sense of independence. It also makes them feel like they have achieved something. Plus, it is just an essential life skill that everyone should learn.

With the tips outlined here, and with lots of patience to go with them, you should be able to help your little one learn to dress independently. Good luck!