Between 12 months and two years, the children already begin to develop their own tastes when it comes to dressing, indicating those colors, combinations, textures and garments that they prefer, according to their personality.
If we allow them to choose their own clothes, we will be showing them that we take their decisions into account and that we support their way of being. But in addition to this, the fact that children can decide how to dress has great benefits in their development.
We tell you what they are and how we can achieve a balance between their tastes and their needs.
What benefits does it have for children to choose their own clothes?
It favors its autonomy
The fact that children can choose their own clothes is a great autonomy lesson that we should not miss. Remember that they learn by imitation, so if we make it easy, they will tend to do the same thing they see adults do.
In Babies and more How to promote autonomy in children with fun tasks by ages, inspired by the Montessori tableBut for this it is important to condition your closet, so that you not only have easy access to all the clothes, but that they are stored in a logical order that the child understands, to facilitate the ability to dress alone.
It favors your learning
Being able to choose your own clothes is also an excellent learning lesson about daily care routines and hygiene, but also about household chores that must be done at home.
Because the moment they learn to be responsible for their own clothes, they assume they should take care of it, store it properly when they take it off or take it to wash when necessary.
They express their individuality
All people have the need and the right to express freely according to your tastes without fear of being rejected, and children, of course too.
But in addition, the fact of being able to choose and decide on their own image helps them express their individuality, makes them feel older, makes them more determined people and helps them enhance their creativity.
In Babies and more Children's self-expression: choose your own imageYour self-esteem is reinforced
The simple gesture of being able to choose your own clothes will make children feel safer, happy and confident, and this can have a positive impact on the image of themselves that they will have in adolescence.
And it is essential for a child feel respected in your decisions and that parents give them confidence so that they can do things, showing them our support when they need it and respecting their choice.
What should we consider?
But it is not about children doing it all alone without any rules or limits.Adults must monitor their choices and explain the social norms or climatic imperatives that make a garment of clothing suitable (or not) in a given context, situation or moment.
In Babies and more, seven keys and some tricks to teach children to dress aloneHere are some tips that we can put into practice to achieve the balance between what they want and what they really need:
At the beginning, we can leave them books to choose small details of their clothing, such as accessories, footwear ... and as they gain autonomy and are able to understand the limitations that exist, we will give them more freedom in their choice.
Another suggestion is to let them choose between several garment options that we we have previously preselected.
Parents can be by your side at the time of the election (at least the first few times) to advise or suggest if you wish, encourage and lend you ours when you ask us.
We must bear in mind that the pace of life of children is very different from that of adults, so if we normally go in a hurry in the morning, the best thing is ask the child to choose his clothes the night before and leave it prepared in a chair or gallant so that the next day you can dress alone, without pressure and without wasting time in the choice of garments.
Photos | iStock, Pixabay
