Supporting Clothing Fastener Skills: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

Learning to manage buttons, zippers, and snaps can feel challenging for many children, but with the right strategies and support, they can build confidence and independence. From a therapy perspective, success comes from simplifying the task, strengthening underlying skills, and allowing consistent opportunities for practice. Below are key principles often used to support clothing fastener development within the pediatric settings.

• Start with smart task setup 

  - Choose clothing with larger buttons or easier fasteners before progressing to smaller, more complex closures 

  - Use structured practice materials (i.e., button boards, dressing frames, stiff fabric) to improve alignment 

  - Position the child in supported sitting with clothing stabilized on a flat surface (i.e., lap, table, or bed)

  
  

• Build the underlying motor skills 

  - Strengthen intrinsic hand muscles thorough activities such as theraputty, clothespins, and bead manipulation 

  - Practice bilateral coordination tasks that require one hand to stabilize while the other manipulates

  - Incorporate activities that promote finger isolation and graded pressure control

• Use adaptive strategies and grading 

  - Begin with hook and loop fasteners before introducing buttons and zippers

  - Practice zipper engagement separately before combining alignment and pulling 

  - Grade up task or down by adjusting fabric stiffness, button size, or level or verbal/physical cueing 

  - Tools and modifications are using to increase independence while skills are developing

  
  

• Focus on practice and problem solving 

  - Encourage repeated practice during natural routines (i.e., dressing for school, putting on jackets)

  - Allow extra time and avoid rushing

  - Prompt children to verbalize sequencing steps to support motor planning and working memory

  
  

•  Promote independence through confidence

  - Celebrate effort and progress

  - Fade assistance gradually as coordination improves

  - Collaborate with caregivers and Educators to support carryover across environments

  With consistent support and structured progression, clothing fasteners can become more than addressing tasks –  they become opportunities to strengthen fine motor skills, executive functioning, and self-confidence.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Developmental milestones. https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html 

American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Activities of daily living (ADLs). https://www.aota.org/practice/practice-essentials/activities-of-daily-living