Dressing for the weather

Teaching little ones about dressing for the seasons can be lots of fun when using simple words, games and interactive prompts.

One great way to help them understand is by asking clear yes or no questions. For example, you might say, “It is cold outside. Do we wear a T-shirt or a coat?” or “The sun is shining. Do we need a hat?” When it is raining, you could ask, “Should we wear flip flops or welly boots?” These simple choices help young children think about what clothing is best for different types of weather.

Sensory experiences also make learning fun. You could ask, “Touch your jumper. Is it soft and warm? Would that keep you warm in winter?” or “Your shorts feel light and breezy. Do you think they would be good for a hot summer day?” Letting children explore textures helps them understand which clothes feel best for the different seasons

Looking outside can also encourage learning. Ask your child to look out of the window and describe what they see. “Look at the sky. Is it sunny, or is it cloudy? What should we wear?” or go outside and feel the air. “Is it warm or cold? Do we need a coat?” This makes choosing the right outfit a little adventure every day.

Do you need a hat, scarf or coat?

What’s the weather like outside?

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Is it sunny? Can you wear a dress or shorts?

Making dressing up into a game can also be really effective. Lay out different clothes and ask, “Can you pick the best outfit for a snowy day?” or play a “Weather Sorting” game where they match clothes to different weather pictures. Visit Twirl’s Boutique where your child can explore a variety of role play outfits. See if they can find something cozy you could wear in winter, or something cool for summer. Have fun mixing and matching while learning about what we wear in different kinds of weather. Use our weather themed ‘Parent Prompts’ to encourage conversations about the different types of weather and their clothing choices. Activities like these turn learning into play and make it more enjoyable.

Storytelling also make learning meaningful. Reading books about the seasons and asking questions like, “What is the little bear wearing in the snow? What should we wear?” encourages children to think about appropriate clothing choices. Pretend play, such as packing for a trip to the beach and asking, “We’re going to the beach! What should we take?” allows children to practice choosing the right outfits in a playful way.

By making learning interactive with questions, games, songs and stories, children naturally begin to understand how to dress for different season while having fun along the way.