Lessons in “dressing“ for transition and Year One children can offer “stitch in time“ benefits. It may sound tiresome, repetitive and therefore monotonous to contemplate teaching little children to tie shoelaces, put hats on correctly, manage their socks, and put on other articles of clothing. However, in the long term, time spent teaching little children these essential personal rudiments can have great benefits.

Take, for instance, the timing of shoelaces. Initially, it will be hard for teaching assistants and teachers to help children tie up the shoelaces individually. However, children “learn by doing“. Observation may come first, but with the instruction on tying shoelaces, some of the children will grasp the methodology. This in turn, will help children who are still in the learning phase.

It’s good practice for children who know how to do the tying and the motivation for children still learning to become independent, so they don’t have to rely upon their peers. Overreliance becomes embarrassing!

If these skills are not taught when children are young, they begin moving up the grades without the ability to undertake these essential elements of personal care. That becomes more than embarrassing; it may become a point of teasing and bullying that gets to be directed at those who are still inept.

Building confidence in young children is essential—building confidence enhances independence in personal care matters.

It’s also time-saving for teachers and support staff, particularly when children need to take off their PE shoes, get ready to go swimming, restore their motor additional dress after swimming lessons, and so on. And a “stitch in time saves nine“ certainly pays dividends for children and their teachers in the longer term.