Summer is a great time for young children to get active and interested in the outdoors. These eight fun summer activities will keep your little ones occupied and interested for hours.

Sprinkler Fun

On warm days, use your lawn sprinkler time for some fun and games with your children. Ball games or a simple game of tag can prove to be enormously enjoyable for children of all ages. Appropriate childrens clothing such as bathers or lightweight clothes will allow your kids to enjoy sprinkler time even more.

Remember to take care to protect your child’s skin by limiting sun exposure. The best times for some sprinkler fun are early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when direct sunlight is milder.

Library Activity Days

Young children love ‘story time’ and other activities days at the local library. Library activity days are a great way to keep children entertained and to encourage an interest in reading and stories.

Many libraries will have different activity days for children of different ages. For example, baby rhyming days for younger children or special reading times for older children. These may run more intensively during the summer holiday months, so be sure to check in with your local library for their program.

Fly a Kite

Whether at the beach or the park, parents can engage their child’s interest by teaching them to fly a kite. It’s a good complementary activity to a barbecue at the park or a day at the beach.

Ride a Scooter or Bike

Younger children love learning to ride a scooter, which can help them get active and encourage cognitive development and spatial awareness. Older kids may find a tricycle or a bike more suitable.

Summer is a good time to get your child interested in these new toys. A little bit of parental supervision and guidance will have them riding around the backyard or with neighbourhood friends in no time.

Swimming

Most children will enjoy the water. For Aussie children, swimming is a rite of passage. Children can start learning to swim at home, at the local pool, or at the beach.

Many local swimming pools will have parent-child swim lesson times where even children as young as six months old can get start getting familiar with the water.

Treasure Hunts

All kids love treasure hunts, and for parents, treasure hunts are very easy to set up. Wrap a range of presents and place them in hiding spots around the house, garden, or local park area. Set a time limit in which participants can find these items.

Picnic

Outdoor picnics are an excellent way to have children enjoy some fresh air and new activities. Have little ones help pack the picnic lunch and make preparations once you’re at the park. Simple finger foods can make the picnic easy to set up and clean up.

Outdoor Cinema

Outdoor movie nights for children are one of the best ways to enjoy the warmer. Check your local outdoor cinemas for children’s nights or showings of your child’s favourite animated films. For cooler nights, it’s a good idea to bring extra boys and girls clothes to keep your little one warm.

Cool Summer Activities for Young Children is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Summer is a fun and enjoyable time for young children of all ages. These five easy and healthful treats will help keep your child energised and cool every day during the warm summer months.

1. Quick Banana Sorbet

This quick banana sorbet is a perennial favourite with young children, and is a wonderfully creamy dessert for children with dairy sensitivity. It’s easy to clean up too, leaving no stains on childrens clothing or furniture.

Ingredients

Ripe bananas

Instructions

• Peel bananas and cut into bite sized chunks. Place chunks on flat tray or plate.
• Freeze the bananas for one to two hours.
• Blend in food processor or blender. Scrap down the sides and blend again as necessary.
• Serve in cones or small bowls.

2. Frozen Berries

Frozen berries are another healthy delicious summer treat guaranteed to please even the pickiest palate. Their colourful appearance is very appealing to young children. As berry juice can stain boys and girls clothes, frozen berries are a great way to serve berries to younger children.

Ingredients

Berries of your choice. Choose from a colourful combination of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, or any other berry of your choice.

Instructions

• Wash and dry the berries.
• Place in individual containers or snack bags for serving.
• Keep in the freezer until serving time.

3. White Bean Dip

White beans (cannellini beans) are one of the most versatile and healthy foods available. Buy fresh beans and soak overnight before cooking, or use ready-cooked canned beans.

Ingredients

• 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed.
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Dash of lemon juice.
• 1 garlic clove (optional).
• Dried herbs of your choice.
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

• Blend ingredients until smooth. Serve warm or cold with crusty toast, corn chips, or any other bread or crisp bread of choice.

4. Fruit Smoothie Icy poles

Smoothie icy poles are a healthy alternative to traditional icy poles. Made with real fruit, this quick snack can be made with your child’s favourite fruit flavours. If you’re using lemon or other citrus fruits, add more sweetener to balance out the sourness.

Ingredients

• Any fruit or fruit juice of your choice. Bananas and strawberries are top kid’s favourites.
• 1 tablespoon of healthy sweetener, such as agave, brown rice syrup, or honey.
• Dash of cinnamon (optional).
• ½ cup of natural yoghurt.
• 2 cups of skim milk.
• Ice cubes.

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients until mixture is smooth.
• Pour into icy pole moulds. Freeze for three to four hours before serving.

5. Nibble Tray

A nibble tray is a fun and creative way to serve summer snacks to young children. Trays can be prepared ahead of time for a simple lunch. Kids will love the colour and variety on a nibble tray.

Preparation

• Use a colourful muffin tray or bento box.
• Fill slots with bite-sized snacks.
• Ideas include cheese cubes, fruit slices, melon balls, pasta salad, potato salad, muffins, steamed vegetables, raw vegetable sticks, popcorn, cherry tomatoes, chocolate chips, savoury chips, nuts and seeds, raisins, crackers, pretzels, and dips.

5 Nutritious Summer Treats Your Kids Will Love is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

The great outdoors is one of the best places for kids to learn, enjoy the tranquillity of nature, and engage in physical activities. Planning good activities, ensuring that you’re well equipped, packing weather-appropriate clothing, including childrens clothing – these are some features of effective planning. If you’re planning a camping trip with young kids, use this guide to gain a quick overview.

Why Kids Love Camping

Most kids will love camping for different reasons. It allows them to get close to nature and experience the natural world. With activities such as setting up tents and cooking on an open fire, camping also teaches them self sufficiency and brings a sense of achievement. Camping can also be fun simply because it’s a novel way to spend time with the family.

Camping activities and ideas:

• Check out local trails for bushwalking or biking
• Look for fishing areas if you’re camping near water
• Check ahead to see if there are safe swimming areas
• Canoeing or rafting
• Create an orienteering course for your kids to complete (older kids only)
• Campfire building, cooking, and roasting marshmallows
• Storytelling

Preparation

Preparation goes a long way in laying foundations for a fun and safe trip. Make sure you work to an equipment list as your pack. At the same time, don’t over plan: allow plenty of room for spontaneous activities.

1. Choosing Your Site

Families with young kids will probably find camping sites with flushing toilets and showers to be necessary. Others who are looking for a more rugged experience may do very well with basic amenities.

Consider what you need when you’re researching and carefully pick your camping site. Loook for testimonies and recommendations from other campers if you have doubts.

2. Packing List

There’s nothing worse than driving a few hours to your camping site and realising that you’ve left an essential item at home. It’s important to work to a packing list as you probably won’t be able to drive a few kilometres down the road and find a grocery store. Carefully plan out what you need, checking that it’s adequate for the numbers who will be participating.

You packing list may include the following:

• Itinerary
• Torch
• Clothing for adults and little boys and girls clothes for your children
• Swimsuits
• Medications and first aid kid
• Toiletries
• Sunscreen
• Sleeping bags and blankets
• Jackets
• Tents
• Food
• Lighters or matches
• Plates, cutlery, and cooking utensils
• Water and drinks

3. Simple Food

Keep food simple on your camping trips. Sausages, canned beans, damper, bread, and anything that can be cooked in a pot or on cooking plate are excellent choices. Tea, coffee, biscuits, and powdered soup are staples for regular campers.

While food is be kept simple on a camping trip, do pack plenty of it. You’ll be surprised how hungry camping makes everyone, including your kids!

4. Stay Weatherproof

Pack plenty of blankets to keep warm, and make sure you have adequate weather gear such as umbrellas, durable tents, jackets, and boots. In summer, avoid camping on very hot days.

Always stay alert and aware of the latest weather conditions; keep your radio on or bring your phone and regularly check online for weather news. Be ready to act if there are any extreme weather events.

How to Plan a Great Camping Trip for Kids is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year for children and for adults. While a gift of childrens clothing, new toys, or games can make it a special time for your child, nothing is better than spending quality time with dad and mum. These are four fun ways to make your Christmas holiday extra special for your little boy or girl.

1. A ‘Home’-Made Christmas

Little kids love arts and crafts. Learning to draw, colour, shape, and cut can assist them with developing their spatial skills. A home-made Christmas can involved any number of activities. These are a few to get you started.

Decorating the Tree

Involve your little ones in picking out the tree, making your own Christmas angels, bells, globes, wreaths, and even stockings. Decorations are not difficult to make. In many cases, you can purchase them in packs of blank wooden or paper shapes, ready for painting or decorating with glue-on stars and ribbons.

Creating Gingerbread Santas

The smell of gingerbread floating through the house is a well-loved one in many countries during Christmas. Using coloured icing and edible accessories to make your Santas stand out. Making and decorating gingerbread Santas can be a fun (and delicious) way for kids to pass an afternoon.

Making Your Christmas Cards

Make your own Christmas cards together by hand or on the computer. Use family photos and consult your little one on colours, lightings, and paper. These home made Christmas cards can be sent out to you family and friends, bringing a authentic and original flavour to your Christmas greetings.

Making Yummy Christmas Treats

Gingerbread houses, chocolate Santas, reindeers, white chocolate snowmen, and Santa’s Hat cookies are just some of the treats you can involve your child in making in your kitchen.

Although you’ll probably want to keep these yummy Christmas treats all to yourself, they make excellent gifts in small presentation baskets with some attractive wrapping and ribbons.

2. A Day at the Zoo or Aquarium

For the busy parent, a day at the zoo or aquarium can be an easy way to keep your child entertained. Most kids are curious about animals and your local zoo, wildlife park, or aquarium will probably be holding a special Christmas dinner or lunch.

These Christmas special events often include admission or even guided tours and special animal petting opportunities. They also allow your little one a chance to interact with other small children.

3. Take a Camping Trip

Camping trips are a perennial favourite of young children, and they’re a great opportunity for children to learn about the natural world and get active. Check out some local camping sites online and make sure you’re adequately equipped for the trip before setting out. Pack sufficient clothing for yourself as well as boys and girls clothes for your child.

Do check the weather ahead; in Australia, the bushfire season coincides with Christmas. Take care when picking your site. If all else fails, camping in your own backyard can be a also be novel activity for your little one.

4 Fun Christmas Holiday Activities for Young Children is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Children travelling alone on flights are called unaccompanied minors. Thousands of children travel as unaccompanied minors every holiday season, and so most airlines will have a formal policy with respect to young travellers flying alone. Other than making sure your child is dressed in warm childrens clothing and has a favourite toy or book to keep them entertained, it’s important to let your child know what to expect if they’re flying alone for the first time.

1. Age

Most airlines will accept children aged 5 or 6 years or more as unaccompanied minors. Younger children will usually need to be accompanied by a family member or authorised person who is aged 15 or over.

A small fee is usually payable for the airline’s service, which includes meeting you and your child at the departure gate, check on your child during the flight, and hand your child over to a nominated person upon arrival at the destination.

2. Communicate With Your Child

For younger children who are flying alone for the first time, it’s important to clarify expectations and let them know what will happen during the flight. Tell your child where they will be sitting, take them through the travel itinerary, and let them know who will be picking them up.

If they’re boarding connecting flights, it can be helpful to record instructions on a piece of paper or a voice message in case they get confused.

It may also be a good idea to guide your child on appropriate behaviour during the flight. Pack their favourite boys or girls clothes, toys, and books to allow them to stay entertained and comfortable during the flight.

3. Coordinate With the Other Side

It’s of course necessary to clarify your child’s schedule with the other side. Exact arrival times and identify information, where necessary, should be provided. Print out a copy of all the relevant contact information for your child to have on hand while they’re travelling alone. You little one may also benefit from having some call cards or local currency in case of emergency.

4. Request Suitable Seating

Ask for suitable seating. If your little boy or girl likes sitting by the window, try and obtain an window seat. Alternatively, you may want to request that the airline seats your child in an empty row or next to an empty seat where possible.

5. Check the Airline’s Policies

Check the airline’s policies ahead to avoid last minute delays or confusions. For example, while designated cabin attendants will tend to your child, there’ll be limits to how much assistance they can provide. Children who need special help with eating, administering medicine, and going to the restroom may need to travel with a carer as most airlines will not be able to provide these services.

6. Speak With the Lead Cabin Attendant

You’ll have a chance to speak with designated cabin attendant(s), but it can be helpful to seek out the lead cabin attendant or an additional attendant, especially if the flight is a busy one. An extra pair of eyes on your child provides additional peace of mind.

6 Tips for Children Travelling Alone is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Christmas is a special time for everyone and it’s a particularly exciting time for little boys and girls. While a new set of childrens clothing, a new computer, or a new backpack are all great gift ideas, these following gifts will also bring a smile to your little one’s face.

1. Kits and Sets

A kit has enormous practical value. It can be put together for children of any interest or purchased whole. If you’re making your own kit, use an attractive pencil case or decorative case to present the items.

• Hair and personal care kit. Little girls may be more interested in this type of kit than little boys. Fill the kit with colourful hairbrushes, headbands, hair elastics, and clips.
• Origami kit. These kits usually contain attractive origami paper and a guidebook for folding animals, plants, vehicles, or other everyday items.
• Papermaking kit. Includes mold, screen, directions, and everything you need to make paper.
• Craft set. Great for budding artists who need plenty of crayons, colour pencils, brushes, non-toxic paints such as the DIY kits available by Kaboodle.
• Chemistry set. Which child hasn’t owned a chemistry set? Chemistry or science sets are wonderful for children who enjoy passing afternoons busily inventing or learning about science. While chemistry sets for young kids are non-toxic, children should wear aprons or smocks to protect their boys or girls clothes from spills

2. Diary With Lock

A diary with a lock can be great for children who are just learning to read and write. Choose a colour scheme that will appeal to your little one. Encourage your child to write and draw in their diary on a regular basis.

3. A Home Made Voucher

Home made vouchers are very easy for parents to make. Use a word processor program and print out vouchers for any of the following:

• A weekend trip to the zoo or aquarium
• A camping trip
• A trip to the beach
• A meal out at their favourite restaurant

4. Digital Camera

There are many digital cameras designed especially for kids. Easy for small fingers to operate, designed with bright colours, and often waterproof and durable, these digital cameras will allow your little ones explore and capture their world more vividly. Little ones may find a bit of help with uploading or printing photos once they’ve captured their images.

5. Dinosaur Plant

Dinosaur plants are the ultimate pot plant for little kids. Dinosaur plants look like shrivelled up dead plants, yet they transform into a lush ball of greenery within hours of being watered. It’s said that dinosaur plants can hibernate for years without water and spring back to life when it rains.

6. Portable DVD Player

Portable DVD players for kids are widely available. They’re great gifts for girls and boys who want to enjoy their favourite live action animation, cartoons, or learning programs anywhere. They’re great for taking with you on holidays and for keeping kids entertained during long waits.

7. Sand Play Set

Sandpit play sets are fantastic gifts for young kids. Building sand castles and burying treasure requires the right tools and a sand play set can be brought along when going to the beach, park, or friend’s house. Even big kids (adults) will find a shovel handy when helping out with sandcastles.

Top 7 Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Summer can be a wonderful time for your children, with a plethora of outdoor activities and the warm weather to enjoy. Other than making sure your little one is dressed in appropriate childrens clothing to protect them against the sun, there are some other things parents can do to keep their child happy and safe all summer long.

1. Sun Safety

Sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV protective boys’ and girls clothes are all important for sun safety.

• The Cancer Council of Australia recommends that infants should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. Alternatively, parents may want to plan their outings to reduce sun exposure, especially between 10am and 3pm. The Council as suggested that it’s safe for infants to wear sunscreen.
• For older children, sunscreen should be applied to exposed skin at least 30 minutes before going out, or as instructed by the manufacturer. A sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 will ensure a very high level of protection.
• Sunscreen can be reapplied every two or three hours, or according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Sunscreen should also be applied if your child will be swimming or has experienced sweating.
• Limit playtimes in direct sunlight between the hours of 10am and 3pm. If you’re concerned, you can also check the expected UV rating for the day.
• Dress children and infants in lightweight long clothing items such as long pants, full-sleeve shirts, like kaftans, or long skirts.
• Keep in mind that water, sand, and snow can reflect UV rays.

2. Managing Heat Exposure

On hot days, try limit your child’s exposure to heat.

• Hydration. Provide plenty of cold drinks and water to keep your little one hydrated. Ice blends, smoothies, or fruit juice are always popular with children.
• Physical Intensity. Limit the time your child spends on outdoor physical activities, especially between the peak UV period at 10am to 3pm. Keep these outdoor play sessions to a maximum or 15 or 20 minutes by making sure your child takes a break in the shade before going out again. Encourage them to stay hydrated during their break.
• Travel. If you’ll be travelling to a very hot climate, give infants and young children lots of time to acclimatise to the weather before they’re exposed to full days in the sun or on their feet. Pay special attention to hydration and heat exposure.
• Clothing. Choose light coloured children’s clothing that provide protection from the sun.

3. Pool and Water Safety

Young children often love nothing better than a swim in the pool or a dip at the beach during summer. These tips can keep your little ones safe.

• Have your child enrol in some swimming lessons for summer.
• Young children should be supervised at all times when they’re around water.
• If boating or undertaking other water sports, use approved life vests rather than inflatable swimming aids such as floaties, which don’t provide the same level of protection as vests.

Check pools and spas for any suction points with broken or missing covers. Children can get caught in these suction points if they’re not adequately covered.

Top 3 Summer Safety Tips for Young Children is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Communicating effectively with younger children can help with their development. It can lay the foundation for open and effective communication in their later years. These are five tips for effective communication with children of all ages.

Babies

1. Touch

Touching, cuddling, and singing are some of the most basic ways to communicate with very young children. They can providing a reassuring message to your baby or toddler. The sense of touch and being held can help sooth a crying baby. Dressing them in comfortable childrens clothing can enhance their sense of comfort in the home environment.

2. Voice and Body Language

Although it may not always be apparent, the tone of your voice and your body language carrying strong signals to children. Even very young children can be very sensitive their parents’ body language and voices.

Sudden, loud noises can cause babies to cry, a reflection of their sensitivity to noise. So it’s useful to adjust the tone of your voice and body language to communicate a sense of reassurance to your child.

3. Maintaining Physical Connection

A famous study by Michael L. Commons and Patrice M. Miller of Harvard Medical School demonstrated that infants should have plenty of contact and reassurance for optimal development, while another study by Tiffany Field of the University of Miami Medical School found that premature babies who were massaged daily tended to develop better motor and mental skills.

Pets such as dogs and cats aren’t able to speak and often rely on touch and maintaining a physical connection with humans to communicate. Likewise, babies like be close to their parents and to feel safe, reassurance, and comforted.

Toddlers

4. Talking to Toddlers

As your little one enters the toddler stage, they may benefit from plenty of talk at home along with other essentials such as new boys and girls clothes and a new bed. While speech development can vary from child to child, most children start talking at around two years of age.

• Cooing and babbling are common to babies younger than 12 months of age. They may start stringing together individual words at around the nine month stage.
• Children can start recognising the names of common objects at around the 12 month mark.
• At around 18 to 24 months, children may already have a working vocabulary of 20 to 50 words.
• Toddlers of two to three years of age will often experience a ‘speech explosion’ and start speaking in short sentences.

Even before your toddler can have a full conversation with you, baby and toddler talk can be two-way conversations. Parents can invite their children to respond with singing, cooing, words, and other sounds to encourage their involvement. This can help them develop language skills and make playtimes for more fun.

Pre-Schoolers and Older Children

5. Make Yourself Available

Pre-Schoolers and older children may need extra attention when it comes to communication. Parents can make themselves available and initiate conversations about their little one’s thoughts on different issues.

• The younger your child, the shorter their attention span will tend to be. Keep conversations brief.
• Ask questions to guide them along to what they want to express.
• Don’t forget to use age and appropriate vocabulary to ensure your child understands what you’re trying to say.
• Don’t be afraid to use a wide vocabulary with them, as my listening to you they will learn how and when to use these words.

5 Tips for Effective Communication With Young Children is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Nutrition in early childhood is essential for both cognitive development and physical growth. Young children’s energy requirements are high and along with dressing them in weather-appropriate childrens clothing and encourage physical activity, parents can support their children’s development by serving healthy food that meet their dietary requirements. Read this quick guide covering the key basics for good childhood nutrition.

The Key Food Groups

Much like choosing boys’ or girls clothes, younger children will need more guidance to ensure that they eat a healthy diet. Pre-school and younger children are usually good at regulating their own appetites and food intake needs. It’s usually not necessary to force them to eat larger portions than they’re comfortable with.

Parents can ensure that children are getting a healthy diet by covering these key food groups in their child’s diet:

• Protein. Protein helps little ones stay strong and healthy. Great sources of protein include lentils, peas, seeds, beans, nuts, eggs, fish, chicken, meats, milk, yoghurt, and cheese.
• Vegetables and Fruit. Vegetables and fruits contain lots of essential nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, and fibre are all vital for health development in young children. Use a variety of different coloured fruit and vegetables as colour usually corresponds to different nutrients.
• Complex Carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates provide energy. Complex carbohydrates can be compared to simple carbohydrates such as sugar or white bread which contain little fibre and burn up quickly in the blood stream. Opt for complex carbs such as wholegrain bread, brown rice, pasta, corn bread, and buckwheat.
• Good Fats. Good fats are those with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are required for brain and nerve cell development. Fish, avocado, flaxseed (also known as linseed) or flaxseed oil, and olive and canola oil are all excellent sources of good fats.
• Liquids. Keep your child hydrated with filtered water, fresh low-sugar juices (such as orange juice), and sugar-free dairy, nut, or soy milks.

Foods to Serve in Moderation

Parents may want to serve these foods in moderation or to avoid them altogether:

• High sodium foods such as potato chips and other commercial snacks.
• Sugary drinks and foods such as pop corn, chocolate bars, ice cream and soft drinks.
• Deep fried foods such as french fries or battered fish.

Try healthy snacks instead:

• Vegetable sticks;
• A serving of fruit;
• Some trail mix; or
• A tub of yoghurt.

Portion Sizes

Caloric intake requirements can vary from day to day for young children depending on the level of physical activity they undertake. In addition, young children go through sudden growth spurts that can further affect their appetite. In most cases, parents can best support their child by providing nutritious food, limiting unhealthy food groups, and allowing their child to set their own portions.

• Set meal times at the same time every day to encourage a fixed routine.
• If your child seems to undereat during mealtimes, you may want to limit snacks outside of meal times.
• If your child appears to be overeating and often complain about being too full after meals, try reducing their portion sizes. You can serve them more food after a ten minute wait if they’re still hungry.
• Always offer the most nutritious foods first. These can include proteins and vegetables. After they’ve finished these foods, you may then serve the complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, breads, and pasta as these are the foods younger children tend to reach for first.

A – Z Nutrition Guide for Young Children is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes

Young children love learning new things. Teaching them to get dressed is a great way to help them develop extra skills and saving time in the morning. Children can start learning simple dressing skills from as early as two three years of age. Use this guide for some practical ideas for guiding your child along the way.

Getting Started

Teaching your child to dress themselves requires some patience and providing lots of opportunities for practice. Start out with some basic childrens clothing pieces, such as elastic-waisted pants and cloths with Velcro or larger buttons.

• Set aside some extra time every morning to take your child through the steps;
• Have your child pick out their favourite boy’s or girls clothes for the day to encourage involvement in the process; and
• Where possible use clothes that are comfortable and simple for your child to move around in.

Teaching children to dress can help them develop their motor, cognitive, and language skills. It can also encourage self-reliance.

In many cases very young children will have already become aware of their clothes. They may sometimes try to pull them off, or try and remove them. Parents can leverage this growing awareness in their children to teach them about different types of clothing. If you notice your child fiddling with their clothes, you can use the opportunity to teach them terms such as t-shirt, jacket, pant, skirt, and so on.

Building on the Basics

Learning to get dressed can involve a lot of individual steps which can be confusing for little ones.

• The best way to approach it is by breaking up the process into small steps. For example, putting on the t-shirt will involve turning the t-shirt the right way, finding the bottom opening, putting one’s head through first, then one arm after the other.
• Verbalise each stage as you take your child through the process. This will help them remember each step and learn new words along the way.
• For very young children, it may be a good idea to just let them take care of one or two steps at first, then gradually introduce more steps until they can do it all by themselves.

Making it Fun

Making the process fun and interesting is a good way to ensure cooperation and help your little one maintain interest. These tips can prove useful during the process:

• Be encouraging and positive, and use plenty of praise.
• It’s useful to also guide them to differentiate between dirty and clean clothing at some stage.
• Be realistic about the amount of time required for getting dressed. Some children will need 20 minutes while others might be able to get ready in 10 minutes. Set aside plenty of time on days when you aren’t rushed for time.
• Encourage your little one to check the weather before choosing their clothes for the day. Teach your child to choose appropriate clothing for the weather.
• Storing at least some of their everyday clothing at their eye level will make it easier for them to choose their clothing. You can consider labelling clothing drawers with simple, colourful illustrations to keep your child involved.

How to Teach Your Child to Get Dressed is a post from: Kids Clothing & Baby Clothes