children lying on green carpet wearing different costumes

Toddlers and Tutus: 8 Developmental Benefits of Toddler Dress Up Play

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Toddler dress up play and imaginary play go hand in hand and both are developmentally enriching.

Toddlers love dress up play and it benefits their development- Sounds like a win/win! We have all seen the toddler wear their rainboots for weeks on end or insist on wearing their superhero cape to church. Turns out it’s normal and developmentally important to let them do it!

Here Are 8 Developmental Benefits of Toddler Dress Up Play:

Mental Flexibility
Builds Empathy
Self Regulation
Self Confidence
Language Skills
Critical Thinking
Motor Skills
Practicing Social Skills

It is the end of October and Halloween is right around the corner! I am sure you have planned out a costume for your little one already or perhaps they are finally at an age where they can tell you what they want to be. (Some of my favorite costumes toddlers have requested include being a tree or a pair of pants!) Let’s dive into why those costumes are more than just fun.

How do I set up a toddler dress up box?

1. Mental Flexibility

Dressing up is a great activity to encourage mental flexibility in children. They dress up and take on the role of a character. Taking on a role is a wonderful way for a young child to think about what another person (or a pair of pants) might do, say, or feel.

2. Builds Empathy

When a toddler considers what another might do, say, or feel, they build the foundation from which empathy will grow. Imaginary and dress up play provides the framework and guidelines for different experiences. Projecting themselves into another’s situation allows a toddler to understand different perspectives and feel different feelings.

3. Self Regulation

Dressing up can also encourage self-regulation. When portraying someone other than yourself, a toddler considers how that character might move through the world. Every action travels through a filter of would they or wouldn’t they? A toddler becomes more in control of their actions because every action is considered and regulated.

I remember my mother said that my brother, as a young child, would never put on his shoes. She would ask repeatedly but he would never focus long enough to complete the task. However, if she called on his alter ego- Friend Seagull- he jumped into action! The shoes were on, and Friend Seagull would fly off ready to accomplish the next task!

4. Self Confidence

Maybe your child believes they are scared to climb the tall climber on the playground but today they have on their monkey tail and monkeys LOVE to climb. Next thing they know they climbed the climber and finally got a chance to go down the big kid slide! They love it and the next time you are at the park; they go up the climber without hesitation.

Not only does dress up allow children to try on different clothes, they are trying on different personalities too!

“When you don’t dress like everyone else, you don’t have to think like everyone else.” -Iris Apfel

5. Language Skills

Dress up play naturally leads to imaginary play. Imaginary play encourages the use of descriptive language. Toddlers get the opportunity to describe their actions and feats of strength. They can’t help but tell you how they are going to climb the rainbow as the strongest unicorn in fairyland or knock you over with with their powerful lion roar.

6. Critical Thinking

The imaginary play that comes hand in hand with dress up play demands critical thinking skills. What will the fireman do now that his firehose sprung a leak?!? They are a pirate but their friend is a powerful sea creature ready to topple their ship. How are they going to respond? Problem solving and critical thinking skills are put to the test. This imaginary play allows toddlers to try out solutions without the real world consequences of making a wrong decision. Learning is easier without the pressure of right and wrong.

7. Motor Skills

The possibilities of motor skills development are endless with dress up play. The cook must learn how to flip the pancake and catch it, the ballerina twirls on her toes, the horse gallops and jumps. Toddlers need lots of large motor skills opportunities to refine their muscle control.

8. Practicing Social Skills

Toddlers also need a lot of practice with social skills. Imaginary and dress up play allows for a wide variety of scenarios a toddler needs to navigate. How does it feel when the sea creature is going to topple your ship. Especially if you don’t want it toppled. How are you going to navigate that interaction with your friend?

In conclusion, dress-up play offers numerous developmental benefits for toddlers. It fosters mental flexibility, empathy, self-regulation, and self-confidence by allowing children to take on various roles and perspectives. Moreover, it enhances language, critical thinking, motor skills, and social skills, providing a fun and imaginative way for children to learn and grow.

Tips For Setting Up a Toddler Dress Up Box Today!

What To Include

So, create a dress up box for your little one! Use old costumes. Gather accessory items from the thrift store like purses, jewelry or headwear. Keep your eye out at Dollar Tree for items like tutus, butterfly wings, wigs or animal headbands. Stick in old items from home like an old apron, hats, bandanas. Next time you get a bag of “hand-me-downs”, look carefully. Perhaps there are some fun things that are too big, and you wouldn’t normally put on your child, but they would be great for the dress up box!

Make the Dress Up Box Accessible

Make sure the box is down low where your child can access it at any time. You never know when you will have a cow princess or a transforming Batman chef appear! Lean into your child’s imagination and accept their new reality. It will help them to Blossom n Thrive!

Toddler dress up play