Is your child struggling to get dressed? How occupational therapy builds independence
27. August 2025
Some children learn how to get dressed very early. But others catch parents off guard in kindergarten – when everyone else is putting on their own shoes while their child doesn't know how to start. Or when every morning starts with a fight for a T-shirt.
Sometimes it's just an individual pace of development. But other times, difficulties with dressing and other common activities can be a signal of a deeper problem – for example, developmental delay, difficulties in coordination, sensory processing disorders or autism. And this is where ergotherapy finds its place.
Why is dressing so important?
For adults, dressing, eating and hygiene are a matter of course. But for a child, it is a demanding process, during which they must involve coordination, concentration and the ability to plan. In professional language, these skills are called activities of daily living (ADL) - and they are one of the pillars of child development.
How does occupational therapy help?
Occupational therapy does not approach the child as a student who must "learn to put on a sweatshirt."
It focuses on how to help the child master the task - break it down into smaller steps, adapt the environment, strengthen motivation and give the child a chance to succeed.
What can parents do at home? Home is the main place for a child to gain experience. It is not necessary to acquire special tools or tables - often it is enough to change the approach.
1. Give space and time
Independence is not born under pressure. A child who is only five minutes old will not calmly try to turn on the button. If we give him time, he has a chance to succeed.
2. Reduce the task, not the expectation
"Getting dressed" means many steps for a child. It can start with just socks, you can do the rest together. Even a small success is a step forward.
3. Routine is not boring
A constant routine helps the child. When activities are done in the same order (e.g. breakfast → brushing teeth → putting on shoes), the child becomes more familiar with them. Even simple pictures or pictograms can help.
4. Praise specifically
Instead of a generic "you're handy," try "I saw you trying to put on your shoes today without help. Even though it didn't work the first time, you tried again." Children perceive the difference and it motivates them.
When to seek a specialist?
It's not about a three-year-old being able to handle everything on his own. Every child has his own pace. But if you see that normal activities are disproportionately difficult for him and that he is worried about it, it makes sense to consult a specialist.
A pediatric occupational therapist can:
- evaluate the level of skill development,
- uncover where the real problem is,
- suggest specific ways to support the child.
Mgr. Natálie Hrušková
Head of Occupational Therapy, Ponseti Clinic
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