With winter just around the corner, your wardrobe staples may begin to shift to accommodate the lower temperatures and chillier air. This change in clothes for the cooler weather can be tricky for some of our kids with sensory processing differences. You may notice your child gravitating toward familiar fair-weather favorites, such as shorts and T-shirts despite the cold. Here are some ways you can support your child in transitioning toward warmer outfits.
Get fiber-content curious together: Make time to investigate textures and fabrics that your child might prefer. The next time you’re at the store or looking through the closet, take a short break to feel the fabrics together and identify which fabrics are preferred and not preferred. Then, take a snapshot of the fiber content listed on the tags (eg. 80% cotton, 20% spandex) so you know which textiles to prioritize, and which to avoid!
Layer clothing: If your child wants to continue to wear their favorite t-shirts and shorts, suggest they wear a plain long-sleeve or leggings underneath! This way, they can show their favorite fashions with added protection from the cold.
Minimize outerwear transitions: You can prevent abrupt transitions from indoor clothing to bulky outdoor clothing by slowly adding layers with breaks in between. For example, consider adding a long sleeve, then a zip-up jacket, and then an outerwear shell to transition to outerwear over time instead of just a heavy coat that goes on all at once. Allow for extra time while dressing for the outdoors to minimize stress.
Utilize year-round cozy items: Some kids may not be willing to wear winter sweatpants or sweatshirts, but flannel pajama pants and robes that they wear year-round might be welcomed with open arms! You can incorporate these clothing items to help keep your kids safe and warm. They may be willing to wear these items close to their skin with a size larger of their “day clothes”, such as jeans, layered on top.
Offer options: Some kids will benefit from tighter clothing styles while others will prefer a looser fit. The same child may oscillate between the two preferences. Having options available, such as gloves vs mittens or a hat vs a hood can help kids to feel control over their winter wardrobe when a change from summer preferences will be a necessary adjustment.
Brushing protocol: Some children are avoidant of winter clothing due to touch sensitivity. Ask an OT at Leaps and Bounds if the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol would be a good fit for your child, and how you can implement it at home.
Social stories and books: Reading picture books about winter clothing together can offer a fun introduction to outerwear. This book list from My Storytime Corner provides a list of five books geared toward talking about winter clothing together. Your child may also benefit from reading a social story about getting dressed in winter clothing. This social story teaches the order different winter clothing items go on and why each is important.
Playing dress-up: Offer opportunities to practice getting dressed in winter clothing in a fun, playful context. Have the whole family gear up and have a pretend snowball fight right in your living room!
From all of us at Leaps and Bounds, we hope you stay warm out there (and remember your jacket on your way out our door)!
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