Change clothes

#change clothes#get dressed#get undressed#outfit#clothing

The wet shirt stays on because play is more fun than changing. The visual support below shows each step, so the child can see what happens between the old clothes and the fresh ones.

A person is taking off a blue tank top.

Taking off clothes (tank top)

A person is taking off a blue tank top.

A person is pulling a green shirt over their head to get dressed. Other clothes are on the floor.

Putting on clothes (shirt)

A person is pulling a green shirt over their head to get dressed. Other clothes are on the floor.

A boy is taking off a blue t-shirt and holding a red t-shirt, getting ready to change clothes.

Change shirt

A boy is taking off a blue t-shirt and holding a red t-shirt, getting ready to change clothes.

A person is taking off a blue shirt with arrows indicating the motion.

Taking off clothes (shirt)

A person is taking off a blue shirt with arrows indicating the motion.

Illustration of a person putting on a blue shirt.

Change shirt

Illustration of a person putting on a blue shirt.

An illustration of a person changing clothes, pulling a blue shirt over their head and adjusting their bottom garment.

Change clothes

An illustration of a person changing clothes, pulling a blue shirt over their head and adjusting their bottom garment.

About this visual support

Changing clothes is rarely about the clothes themselves. The resistance usually comes from interrupting play or a show, and from a body that suddenly has to leave something soft and warm for something new. That interruption is what the pictures address, not the act of pulling on a sleeve.

When a child can follow the sequence with their eyes first, the change becomes predictable. They see the old shirt going into the basket, the new clothes already laid out, and the play waiting on the other side. One thing worth trying: place the new outfit within sight of the activity before you mention changing, so the eyes land on it before the body has to move.

In the Routined app you can build the full change-over routine with photos of your own child's clothes and let them tick off each step at their own pace. There is a 14-day trial.