Any tips for teaching a preschooler how to put on tights..?

[DizzyPhillips]

DD1 is four and starting school this summer. She’s going to be four and a half when she starts.

She can dress herself fine but struggles with tights. I’ve been practising with her (she’ll likely wear tights to school and I worry about her changing for PE) but she’s struggling with it.

Just wondering if there are any fool proof suggestions..?

I always think trousers are far more practical for school - for boys and girls.

Erm not all schools allow trousers.

OP can she do leggings?

Tights are the bane of primary teachers! Stick with trousers, or leggings under skirts.

And now it's practically illegal for schools to dictate a different uniform for boys and girls!

Yes she can do leggings. Not a bad idea. I’m not actually 100% sure on the uniform policy for the school. We haven’t had any info through yet but if I can avoid tights I will.

Trousers are more practical but trying convincing a headstrong, very stubborn four year old this when getting dressed in the morning! I've finally convinced mine to wear trousers on PE days but she still comes out of school every other day with tight gusset round her knees as she can't pull them up efficiently! Roll on summer when tights aren't needed anymore.

It’s such a sad thought. Her struggling to put on her tights 😪

Yes her being adamant that she is wearing tights will no doubt be an issue!

Can you sit next to her and both of you put them on together ? Demonstrate how to do it?

DD is 10 and I still have difficulty getting her to put tights on properly! I have taught her to pull on to her toes fully before pulling up her legs and we are gradually getting fewer torn gussets.

Buy them plenty big enough.

But check the uniform policy. My DD and a lot of her friends had long grey socks in YR and Y1. Trousers on PE days were also very common.

Toes to knee
Toes to knee
Knee to bum
Knee to bum
Bum all the way up to belly

Make it into like a sing song rhyme??

Trousers are really difficult for scrawny long legged children the same way skirts are... DD wears a pinafore for this reason. The only actual trousers (rather than leggings) that say up are age 2-3 and now rather short. She grows up not out!

She is fine pulling tights up after the toilet, but has a tendency towards both feet in 1 leg with both leggings and tights!

My school says no tights on pe days in reception. Either trousers or skirts and socks. It's a big no no because of this very reason.

So don't get stressed about it yet- first fine out what school she's going to and then find out their uniform policy.

It's easier if it is "the school says.."

In my class (reception) the girls are super quick at tights now. Trust me it only takes a few weeks for them to get the hang of it. It's best if they sit down to start with then jump up to pull them up (sounds obvious haha). Buttons are WAY more of an issue. Plus the teacher won't let her struggle, reception is very nurturing xx

That’s good to know. I know she’s ready for this but I’m not 😭

Regardless of the getting dressed and undressed, trousers will be much more practical for running around at break times and using play equipment at lunchtime. Also buy black socks, white are a disaster when they are playing outside much of the time.