One of the joys of parenthood - at least for me - is shopping for and dressing my toddler. I get an embarrassingly huge amount of pleasure out of browsing baby clothing websites, and picking out adorable outfits for my toddler to wear.
Just the other day I put my 20 month old in the cutest pair of jeans (is there anything cuter than a toddler in jeans) and to my dismay, she proceeded to fall over 3 times in the next 5 minutes… seemingly for no reason! I begrudgingly swapped out her stylish jeans for more practical leggings and tada! she stopped falling over and seemed overall more comfortable.
While it can be tempting to dress our toddler in the latest fashion, oftentimes these items of clothing do more harm than good. Here are 3 reasons why you should be more conscious of dressing your toddler for play, rather than for appearances.
Reason 1: Clothing can be very restricting and impact a child’s ability to move and play freely.
Consider how you select your clothes each morning - you choose them based on what activities you have... active wear from a gym class, smart clothes for a business meeting, or loungewear for a lazy day at home. Similarly, your toddler's clothes should be selected based on what they have on that day... which majority of the time is PLAY!
Some pants (boys pants in particular) are made of more restrictive materials or might be quite stiff and tight. This stops a toddler from being able to run, jump, climb or lift their legs properly. Dresses should also be worn with caution, as little legs often get tangled in dresses when trying to climb or crawl. Button up shirts should be reserved for special occasions, as they can be restrictive across the chest, as well as it being difficult to roll up the sleeves properly. Watch out for clothes that have dangly straps or bits hanging off which can also get in the way of your child’s movements and distract them during play. A baggy jacket might keep slipping off or falling over their hands when they’re trying to reach for toys. When buying clothes for your child, be mindful of whether or not their construction or materials will impact the way your child moves and plays. At this young age when they are constantly exploring what their bodies can do, it is so important that their clothes do not hinder their evolving gross motor skills.
Another factor to consider is how easy it is for your toddler to put their clothes on and take them off independently. Toddlers LOVE to dress themselves, and clothes that are difficult to manage alone can cause unnecessary frustration. A key component of toilet learning involves your toddler taking their pants off by themselves. For these children it is especially important that their clothes don't get in the way of them being successful in using the toilet.
Reason 2: What message do your child’s clothes send them about how they should act?
Just as the way we dress affects our behaviour, the same is true for children. Wearing a dress might make a child feel delicate and ‘princess-like’, sending them the message that they shouldn’t play boisterously, and avoid getting messy. They might not have a turn on the monkey bars or climb a tree when wearing a ‘pretty’ dress. Or wearing a collared shirt might send a message to a child to act in a more mature or grown-up way than is expected for a toddler. Even if they’re not aware of it, subconsciously, the clothes your toddler wears will affect how they behave and act. You can save those special items for specific occasions where they will be more appropriate.
Reason 3: How do your child’s clothes change the way you treat them?
Have you ever stopped your toddler from doing a messy activity because they’re wearing something you really love and don’t want to get ruined? (🙋🏻♀️ I have!) If your child is wearing expensive clothes or clothes you really love, chances are, you might pick a different activity for your child that day, or steer them away from the paint at a sensory class. You may skip the park visit because it’s a bit muddy, or you might say no to certain favourite foods because you don’t want the sauce to stain their beautifully white clothes! You might also be more helicoptery and nervous around your child while they’re playing, monitoring their every move, afraid that they might ruin their clothes… not a lot of fun for you or your toddler! Rather make your life easier, and take the stress out of messing up clothes, by dressing your child in ‘play clothes’, that you’re happy to get messy or stained. Invest in a jumbo supply of stain remover and most of all, save the special clothes for a special occasion!
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