Self-care skills – Dressing and undressing

Taking an active part in dressing and undressing activities is important for a child or adult’s self-esteem as well as developing independence. Within sessions each child or adult is facilitated (verbal instructions or physical support) to take an active part and succeed in everyday age appropriate dressing and undressing activities from taking off shoes, socks and coats to putting on items of clothing and doing up buttons and tying laces. Fine motor skills required are developed during fine motor programmes and specific activities and toys with zips, buttons and threading. Facilitation given is reduced as skills are developed and confidence grows leading to greater independence.