How to Teach Kids to Fasten Buttons

Building Skills: Learning How to Fasten Buttons

January 19, 2022

Annie Wade, OT

Around 3 years old, a child should be able to unfasten large buttons. Then around 4 years old, a child should be able to fasten large buttons. Practicing the skills and learning how to fasten buttons is important even if your 3 or 4 year old’s clothes do not have buttons. Fine motor skills, using both hands together, and hand-eye coordination are all skills used in fastening buttons. It is an important lifelong skill to learn, as clothing for older kids and adults has buttons.

Practice Makes Perfect

There are lots of activities that can help your child build the skills needed to fasten and unfasten buttons. Listed below are just a few of the skill-building activities your child can try!

Practice unfastening large buttons while seated at a table.

Practice fastening large buttons seated at a table. You can make this easier by putting the button in the hole and having the child complete the rest.

Continue to challenge their skills by decreasing the size of the buttons and having the child practice with buttons while wearing clothing.

If you have concerns about the development of your child’s fine motor skills, please contact Hogg Therapy! Our therapists are specially trained to help with a variety of developmental concerns and are passionate about serving families. Visit our website or give us a call at 859-353-3666.

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