The time when your toddler grows and joins playschool is a tough one. Even though many parents are excited yet the separation anxiety also keeps bothering them. Overall, they are rather emotional about the whole transition. This is the time when the toddler is getting away from the comfort of their home to a new world of daycare even if it is for a few hours. This phase is very challenging both for the parents as well as the toddler. It is extremely important to prepare the tiny tot as well. The most important thing is to dress them in proper yet comfortable clothes for playschool so that they feel easy and confident.
Playschool or daycare is more like an extended version of the home and not something different. The tiny tot is too young to understand that but if they feel at home in that environment, there are less challenges to face. It is best to keep the little one comfortable so they feel like any of the other toddlers, making them confident and happy in the new environment.
In This Article
- Why is it Important to Dress Your Toddler in Comfortable Clothing?
- What Are Some Comfortable Clothes For Toddlers?
- Tips to Dress Your Toddler in Comfortable Clothes For Playschool
- What Not to Wear to Playschool
- FAQ’s
Why is it Important to Dress Your Toddler in Comfortable Clothing?
It is important to opt for comfortable clothing as it instills self-confidence in the little one. This also enables the toddler to feel at ease and explore in a better manner. Few other benefits of dressing your tiny tot in comfortable clothing are-
- Kids are extremely active at this stage and learn a lot while they play and dressing them in comfortable wear helps them with growth and learning. It even allows them to move around freely (1a )
- When kids dress in comfortable clothing, it makes them look good and boosts their morale as well
What Are Some Comfortable Clothes For Toddlers?
It is important to keep in mind comfort while purchasing clothes for toddlers. Few fabrics are more suitable for them. It is thus important to keep few points in mind while shopping for toddlers which are-
- Look out for clothes with one size bigger than usual which are slightly loose and comfortable
- Having too loose clothes increases the chances of tripping and falling as well (1b)
- Opt for fabrics that are soft, breathable as well as offer comfort rather than tight fitting options for the kid
- Few kids are sensitive to certain fabrics and can even experience discomfort and irritation so best to avoid these
Tips to Dress Your Toddler in Comfortable Clothes For Playschool
Toddlers are too young to understand what they need to wear. Most of them at this age are not fond of wearing clothes, rather they love to explore taking them off. Very rarely kids are seen dressing up on their own. This time is a challenging one for parents especially when it comes to dressing them up. Few tips are given as under-
1. Choose Comfort Over Style
Preschool is a place where the tiny tot should be in comfortable wear. It should allow the kids to have fun, run and play without any issue. Dressing the little one in dressy outfits can pose challenges for the kid as it can hinder them from playing.
2. Select Skin-friendly Fabrics
When looking for fabrics for toddlers opting for cotton or breathable fabrics that are soft is a good option. Natural fabrics like bamboo, linen, or stretchy fabrics like lycra or spandex, moisture wicking fabrics etc. (2)
3. Get The Size Right
It is important to look for fabrics that aren’t too tight and offer comfort for the toddler. Looking for a size or two bigger than what the little one wears is good as it is helpful even when your toddler outgrows it.
4. Choose Age-appropriate Clothing
The toddler must be dressed as per their age. It is good to make them wear tops, shorts, skirts, simple frocks etc.
5. Pack a Change of Clothes
Always keep a set of clothes for changing in a separate bag. It is important to label all the items especially socks, undergarments, napkins etc. with their name. Leave the bag with change in school for some emergency etc. As the toddler is too young, there can be accidents in the washroom or change needed when playing in sand or otherwise.
6. Avoid Difficult to Remove Items
Make them wear clothes that have a simple opening and closing style and not too complicated ones. For example, big size buttons, hooks, less zips, front openings. Do not make them wear fancy clothes that have frills or trimmings. It is not good to make them wear any piece of jewelry as it is not safe for them (1c). It is important to make the toddler wear what they prefer. For example, preference of shorts over skirts, pants with pockets, stretch necklines etc. It is important to make the toddler wear what they prefer.
7. Think Elastic Waistbands
It is best to potty train the kid before they joins a playschool so no challenges are faced. Yet if the toddler is not potty trained, it is advisable to dress them in comfortable clothes which are easy to undress. Bathroom leaks are common in case of toddlers, so dressing them in simple elastic wear for the undergarments is easier to manage.
8. Opt For Comfortable Shoes
It is best to dress the toddlers in comfortable shoes and socks for active playing time. It is best to use the velcro ones or slip ons in case the toddler is still learning how to to tie the laces. Never use flip flops or open footwear as it increases the chances of hurting themselves.
9. Clothes Should be Season-appropriate
Clothes For Summer-
- Summer is a time for loose and breathable fabrics
- Wearing shorts, half sleeves, sleeveless, is much preferred than full length ones
- Keep them protected from the sun when playing outdoors by making them wear caps
Clothes For Winter-
- Winters is a time for layering the little one to keep them protected
- Wearing woolen jackets, sweaters is preferable to wearing light clothes
Clothes For Monsoon-
- Monsoon demands the kids to wear raincoats and gumboots
- It is important that the toddlers carry small umbrellas as well to save themselves from getting drenched (1d)
What Not to Wear to Playschool
While sending the toddler to a playschool, it is extremely important to look for ease as well as comfort. This goes for the school staff, kid, as well as the parent. Few clothes are a red signal to be worn at playschool. Let us have a look at a few of them that are a complete no in this case-
1. Tight Pants or Hard to Pull Clothes
Never dress the little one in too tight clothes as they are difficult to pull off and pull on. Even though the child-care provider is there to help the kid, yet the toddler will feel more comfortable if they can do the task by themselves. Easy to wear comfortable wear is the key for the same.
2. White Clothes
Toddlers are fond of playing outdoors, playing with clay, painting, coloring, all in all a messy affair and wearing white only creates challenges for them. Toddlers also spill while they eat and white clothes when they get stained are hard to remove. It is thus best to dress them in bright colors which are easy to wash and maintain.
3. Frilly Dresses
Wearing frilly dresses, long frilly skirts or one with pom poms, cancan or ruffles is not a great choice as they can pose challenges for the toddler while playing outdoors or while running etc. (1e). Comfortable clothes for playschool will make your toddler feel free.
4. Fancy Hair Accessories
Decorative and gaudy hair accessories like clips and bows is not an ideal choice for playschool as they can or even poke the toddler. Using simple and easy to wear hair accessories is a better option especially pins and hair bands.
The beginning of the playschool is a milestone for the toddler. It is extremely important for the little one to be comfortable in this new phase and preparing beforehand is a good option. A good way is to make them aware of fun activities and friends they can make there, get them comfortable clothes for playschool, accessories etc. Building happy and positive conversations creates a sense of inquisitiveness and excitement to join the school and makes the phase a smooth and easier one.
FAQ’s
1. Can Toddlers Wear Sandals to Daycare?
Daycare prefers the toddlers to wear comfortable shoes with a proper grip, giving priority to closed shoes over sandals which are neither too tight nor too loose.
2. Why is it Important For Toddlers to Wear Comfortable Clothes?
Wearing comfortable clothes allows the toddler to be free and be more confident, keeping them stress free and creating good memories.
References
- Flip flops, dress clothes, and no coat: clothing barriers to children’s physical activity in child-care centers identified from a qualitative study – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2780978/]
- A Review: Sustainable Material Selection for Children’s Wear – [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360651902_A_Review_Sustainable_Material_Selection_for_Children’s_Wear]
