Preschoolers are just beginning to develop their skills for school. One of those skills they are beginning to learn is making choices. A way to incorporate this is by allowing them to pick their own clothes for preschool. This is a chance for you to establish a routine that they can use in later years in regards to school. It is also an area you still have some basic say in, but eventually you will have to have them make most of their decisions about clothing.
Start helping them choose their school clothing the night before. Of course, having clothing that they like will help. Best kids boutique or other child-centered stores are a great place to shop. This way if your preschooler can’t quite make up their mind or are torn between a couple of outfits, then you and they have some time to sort things out. It will also help you establish a routine early in their school years so that later on things are less stressful when it is time to get ready for school.
Remember to keep the preschool dress code in mind when going through the process. Some schools require shorts under dresses and skirts. Also, don’t forget that your child has to be able to get the clothes on and off without supervision. This is so that it is easy for them to go potty by themselves. Don’t approve anything that has complex closures or has suspenders. Suspenders are extremely hard for preschoolers to get off in time.
If your preschooler has trouble choosing or wants to rifle through every single drawer in search of the perfect outfit, pick three or four outfits ahead of time for them to choose from. This way you will prevent your toddler from becoming overwhelmed with too many choices and minimizie the chaos of clothes all over the place.
Don’t worry about your child picking things that don’t exactly match. Stripes and polka dot combinations may be a little out there for your taste. But for your preschooler, this outfit can be a fun one to show off to friends. At this age, it doesn’t really matter that things don’t match exactly. Of course, it is up to you on how much free rein you give them concerning their choices. The important thing is that they help in the selection process.
Finally, pack another set of clothing in their backpack to take with them. You can put it in a plastic bag with their name on it. This way there is always a backup in case of accidents. Don’t forget to periodically update these clothes for the season.
Letting your preschooler choose their school clothes is a way of getting them prepared for the school years. Establishing this routine early can help reduce some of the stresses of school mornings later on. Things don’t have to match but remember that they still need to be able to manipulate them.