Dressing and Undressing a Baby Doll

Dressing a doll allows children to practice fasteners from a different perspective, developing both fine motor skills and nurturing instincts.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Practical Life
• Learning area: Care of Self
• Level: Ages 3-4

Objectives

• Practice fastening mechanisms on another
• Develop nurturing behaviors
• Build sequencing skills
• Prepare for self-dressing independence

Materials

• Baby doll
• Doll clothes with various fasteners (buttons, zippers, snaps)
• Small basket for clothes
• Blanket

Instructions

1. Lay doll on blanket. 2. Select outfit from basket. 3. Put on shirt: guide arms through sleeves. 4. Fasten buttons from top to bottom. 5. Put on pants: guide legs through. 6. Fasten snap or zipper. 7. Put on socks and shoes. 8. When finished, undress following reverse order. 9. Fold clothes and return to basket.

Educator tip

Doll dressing is less frustrating than self-dressing because children can see what they're doing. Skills transfer naturally to their own clothing.

Assessment

Child dresses and undresses the doll using all fastener types.

More from Practical Life

• Using a Hole Punch
• Carrying a Chair
• Opening and Closing a Door
• Using a Dropper
• Sorting Objects by Category
• Using Scissors: Straight Lines
• Pouring Water: Pitcher to Glasses
• Threading Large Beads