
There are so many good reasons that childcare programs offer dress up clothing and accessories for all ages of young children!
Choosing dress up items for a role-playing activity with friends involves compromise, planning, sharing, and other social skills. "Who's going to be the mom? I want to wear that cape! You need a hat! What can we use for a fire hose?"
Putting on the dress up clothes develops fine motor skills and balance. Often, a child needs help to zip a zipper or tie a tie, so dressing up can also allow children to practice asking for help, waiting for a turn, and helping someone else.
Wearing the clothes is when the real fun begins, as children delight in pretending to be someone else, acting out favorite characters and stories that allow them to feel confident, brave, and powerful!
Here at Childspace, we offer our babies a variety of hats with the chance to look at their reflection to begin their adventures in dressing up. We watch their responses carefully to make sure they feel a sense of safety and fun as they see themselves in different hats.
Most toddlers are more adventurous and love to try on adult shoes, pretty skirts, and community helper costumes. They need lots of help getting dressed, which helps them develop language skills, and they usually play side by side rather than joining in elaborate games or role-plays with friends.
Older toddlers and preschoolers can devise elaborate play activities with the support of a wide assortment of themed and non-themed dress up clothes and accessories, so we change out the selection of materials based on their interests and engagement. Our preschool room often ends the day with a dress up dance party!
Learn more about the benefits of dress-up play at The Genius of Play.
Choosing dress up items for a role-playing activity with friends involves compromise, planning, sharing, and other social skills. "Who's going to be the mom? I want to wear that cape! You need a hat! What can we use for a fire hose?"
Putting on the dress up clothes develops fine motor skills and balance. Often, a child needs help to zip a zipper or tie a tie, so dressing up can also allow children to practice asking for help, waiting for a turn, and helping someone else.
Wearing the clothes is when the real fun begins, as children delight in pretending to be someone else, acting out favorite characters and stories that allow them to feel confident, brave, and powerful!
Here at Childspace, we offer our babies a variety of hats with the chance to look at their reflection to begin their adventures in dressing up. We watch their responses carefully to make sure they feel a sense of safety and fun as they see themselves in different hats.
Most toddlers are more adventurous and love to try on adult shoes, pretty skirts, and community helper costumes. They need lots of help getting dressed, which helps them develop language skills, and they usually play side by side rather than joining in elaborate games or role-plays with friends.
Older toddlers and preschoolers can devise elaborate play activities with the support of a wide assortment of themed and non-themed dress up clothes and accessories, so we change out the selection of materials based on their interests and engagement. Our preschool room often ends the day with a dress up dance party!
Learn more about the benefits of dress-up play at The Genius of Play.