Some children find it hard to learn how to do up zips and buttons.
You need fine motor skills to do up zips and buttons.
Practising doing zips and buttons is the best way for your child to learn.
But other fine motor activities can also help develop the fine motor skills needed for doing zips and buttons. For example, using tweezers or threading beads.
Getting started with zips and buttons
To teach your child zips and buttons skills, start by putting the clothes on the table.
Practise with large zips or buttons.
Sit beside your child when showing them what to do. This means they can copy your movements rather than mirror them.
Make sure the zips or buttons are easy to use and will let your child succeed in their task.
If your child is having difficulty, think about their learning style. Using visuals, such as pictures, may be helpful.
Use backward chaining to break the task down into manageable steps.
Making zipping easier
There are things you can do to make zipping easier.
Do
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adapt your child's zip by adding a key ring for easy grabbing
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use a sticker or a marker to show where to place your hands
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check the zip can be seen clearly - for example, it may not be easy to see a black zip on a black lining
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avoid coats or other items with a flap of material over the zip - it can make the task more difficult
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use the same words, gestures or visual cues each time you practise
Working on buttons
Opening buttons is a good place to start when learning how to open and close buttons. It is usually easier than closing them.
Start with large buttons and gradually move to smaller ones.
Practise on the table first.
Iron the button eyelet so the fabric is stiffer to hold on to.
When your child becomes more confident with the technique, they can practise with the clothes on their body.
Sit beside your child. Practise at a quiet time that suits you both. Sometimes, practising on pyjama buttons can be a good activity before bedtime.
Using words such as pinch, poke, pull can be helpful for children. These are memorable words that make it easier for your child to understand and follow instructions.
Tips to help your child learn buttoning
There are things you can do to help teach buttoning.
Do
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use colour-coding to help match the button to the buttonhole
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make up a rhyme or a phrase that will help your child complete the task - involve them in choosing rhyming words or a suitable phrase
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start buttoning from the bottom - this can make it easier to keep the button and buttonholes lined up correctly
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use a mirror to help them manage the top button
If your child does not manage to do and undo buttons, you can help them develop the fine motor skills needed for handling buttons.
Try activities that involve pinching, holding or using finger strength. For example, your child could drop objects into a container, post coins into slots or use tweezers to move small items.
Developing fine motor skills
Tying shoelaces
Tying shoelaces is one of hardest tasks in dressing.
To avoid confusion in the ways people tie laces, one person should teach your child this skill.
Be consistent
Always use the same words and prompts for this task. Sit next to your child when learning to tie laces, and not opposite.
Using different coloured laces can be helpful at the beginning, or if your child gets confused with which one to hold.
If your child holds the loop too far away from the knot, mark the two spots they should hold with a permanent marker or nail polish.
Follow their lead
Sometimes a child might find it easier to tie their laces in another way. If that’s the case, practise that way. For example, tucking the lace back in for two larger loops.
There are several ways to tie shoelaces, and it can be fun to explore them together. You can find examples and video tutorials online.
If you find your child cannot do the task, consider elastic shoelaces or shoelace alternatives. You can get these in shops or online.
This content was adapted from the video series 'Independent Skills' by Enable Ireland.