All dressed up!
Filed Under Tips & Tricks | July 23, 2008
In this month’s column Sharon Selby, a local child counsellor, and the creator of Phonics Wizard, builds on her previous columns about creative play with all you need to know to create the ultimate dress up box:
Summer is a great time to put together a dress up box. Older children may delight in putting on a show at a family BBQ, while younger children may dress for dinner in a smashing outfit of their own creation. You’ll find treasures at thrift stores and garage sales. And dress up boxes can even be eco-friendly, as the best places to find dress-up clothes are in your own closets, allowing you to reuse and recycle and breathing new life into your muchloved, but no longer stylish handbag.
Because children play differently depending on their age, your dress up box can develop as they do, but whatever their age, all dress up boxes need items for your tot’s head, feet, neck, waist and body.
At around two to three-years-old, children are interested in anything that makes them look like mummy or daddy, so general dress up clothes work best. By about age four, children begin to role-play and focus more on the activity their character is engaged with. They choose their pieces more carefully and want props to go along with their outfits: a backpack, a wand, a hose, a sword/shield. This is the time to add costumes and uniforms to their box. And while older children may no longer be interested in make-believe, they still may be keen to dress-up in an elaborate costume and put on a play.
Stock your box:
Head: Crowns, wigs, tiaras, top hats firefighter hats…the list goes on. While the transfer of lice can be an issue with hats, in your own home, with frequent checks/washing they should be fine.
Feet: Oversized shoes (with a not too-high heel) are always a hit. Cowboy boots, rain boots, snow boots and “princess” shoes from the dollar store all work.
Body: Short skirts and dresses become full-length on a child, capes and suit vests are other favourites. Shrink clothes in the dryer and cut the length off long pants and dresses. Flashy items with sequins and glitter are always popular.
Neck & Waist: Boas, shawls, ties, scarves, sunglasses, eyeglasses (with the lenses removed), belts, gloves, costume jewelry, wings. You can also find some children’s play necklaces which automatically release if pulled too hard, an excellent safety mechanism to protect against choking.
Props: Purses, wallets, pretend money, old cell phones, magnifying glass, stethoscope, menus, canes, keys on a key ring, wand, swords etc…
Costumes and Uniforms: Here’s where your old Halloween costumes can come to rest. Check out dance shops, dollar and thrift stores for old costumes. An old white business shirt can look like a doctor’s jacket and an apron can create a chef.
Remember, a full-length mirror is a must!
Sharon Selby, B.Ed., M.A., is a local child counsellor. She is the author of The Phonics Wizard Reading Series: a learn-to-read program for parents to teach their own children early literacy skills for ages 2-7.
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Don’t forget to mention Odette’s fabulous jewellery available at Little Earth. I have a beautiful silver necklace with the outline of two little boys I wear everyday. She can customize her necklaces to match your family. They make great mother’s(or father’s) day gifts or gifts for grandmas!