Tips for Learning Buttons

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any tips or word of encouragement for young kids learning to button/zip pants and button shirts? My 5 year old's school next year has a dress code that includes dress pants and button shirts. To date he has only ever worn pull on elastic waist pants (it seems weird but we've never bought him jeans and even his "dress" pants are pull on) and the few times he's worn button up shirts we've done them for him. I am worried that he will get frustrated and/or unable to properly dress himself and am also worried about bathroom breaks at school. He is currently very independent with getting dressed (picks out and puts on his own clothes each day) and bathroom. Other than the obvious of getting him started now, any tips for how to help him master this? Am I over thinking this? And yes, it's 6 months from now, so hopefully that's enough to learn!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[Anonymous]

My 5 year just pulls his buttoned pants up and down. Without unbuttoning.

[Anonymous]

You can buy toys that he can practice on. I’ve seen dolls with buttons and zippers and snaps, or a board or frames with fabric attached.

[Anonymous]

We liked using a button snake. Since you are worried about smaller buttons, you might want to start with something more big-kid sized and less toddler-sized:

http://mamaot.com/button-snake/

[Anonymous]

Practice, practice, practice.

And Daniel Tiger : peekaboo, pull it through!

[Anonymous]

Awesome idea on the button snake, I'd never heard of that! Thank you!