The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-09-14
CLOTHES THAT MAKE
DRESSING EASY


"At what age should one begin to
teach a child to dress himself? My
baby is two, and think he should be-
gin to do what he can without my
help"
This mother is going at her training
in the right way-planning so that her
child will early have the satisfaction
of being independent of help. Though
he'll probably be 81 or 4 before he
can dress alone, his attitudes towards
dressing have been built up from baby
hood on.
First of all comes the need of max
ing babyS clothes loose and comfortable,
so that he will not have unpleasant
associations with being dressed. If he
has to be handled a lot-have his head
thrust through a sweater opening that
is too small, be turned over a number
of times during the dressing process, for
example-he may resist the whole bust
ness. Shirts that open in front, dresses
that, being split all the way down the
back, can be spread apart when baby
is laid down and thus kept dry, are
features that prevent early dislikes
being formed.
When baby gets to the creeping stage,
two piece suitS-panties and an over
blouse-will encourage his getting about
without having his knee action ham,
pered by skirts that get in the way.
The panties, with wide elastic at the
top, will also facilitate training, as they
can be slipped off easily. If two OF
three pairs are made to match one
upper" a lot of work can be saved
When the child has reached the stage
when he can put on and off his clothes
the cut of the garment is important
to his comfortable and speedy learning
Raglan sleeves are easy to get into
and easy to iron. One pattern can be
used to turn out any number of clever
little dresses, each varied in detail and
trimmings. Boys will be much happier
to continue with the elastic topped
trousers. No wonder little boys don't
learn to dress themselves as soon as
little girls do, when they have to
struggle with buttons, before, behind
and amidships. Manufacturers have
now come to the aid of small boys, and
have provided zippers and sliding belts
Both dresses and suits should open in
front, and have as few buttons or
fastenings as possible.
outdoor clothes must be made or
chosen with equal care. Raglan sleeves
for a coat will lessen the struggle in
getting it on. A light coat and a
sweater will keep the child warmer
than one heavy garment of more in
flexible material. Snow suits, or two
layers of light weight or medium wool
can be made out of old coats or dresses
and may have wide elastic bands at
wrist and ankle to keep snow and wind
out. Rubbers and overshoes should be
bought large enough to slip On and off
with comparative ease.
Corduroy has come off the college
campus and into the lives of the very
young boys and girls, who enjoy the
comfort, Softness and warmth of color
full overalls made therefrom. But after
laundering the nap will have to be re-
stored with a good stiff brush when
the overalls are thoroughly dry
Children'S clothes can be made attrac-
tive, simple and easy for the youngsters
to get into. We are realizing today as
we never did before how much of the
child's personality depends on early
building up of confidence and belief
in his own ability. Because dressing
himself is almost the first skill the
little child acquires only learning to
| feed himself comes before tive can
do a lot to encourage habits of indie
pendence and self-reliance by making
the conditions right for happy achieve
ment.
Early School Entrance
Many parents are faced with a prob
lem somewhat like the following: "At
q