Care of the Self

Dressing Frames
Materials A box or stand to hold the frames
7 wooden frames, 12” by 12”, each one covered with pieces of cloth or
leather with the following fasteners:

Snaps Buttons Buckles Zipper Bows Shoelaces Bootlaces

Other frames that can be shown include Velcro, backpack clips

Purposes Visual Motor Coordination

Fine Motor Control
Manual Dexterity
Care of the Person

Age 2½–3½ Snaps, Buttons, Velcro

3–3½ Buckles, Backpack Clips
3–4 Bow Frame
3½–4 Shoe Laces, Zipper
3½–4½ Boot Lace
All Frames
Preparation
Invite the child. Demonstrate how to remove and return frame from
stand. Child is invited to bring frame to table of choice.
Restoration
When cycle of activity is complete, child returns frame to stand.

Presentation: Unsnapping:
Snaps 1. Starting at top, press four fingers of left hand against cloth just
left of snap. Grasp right flap at top and pull until cap unsnaps
from stud.
2. Move left hand down to next snap and unsnap.
Repeat, allowing child to unsnap last snap.
3. Open and peek.

Snapping:
4. Starting at the top, pull the left flap up onto the frame with
left hand so the stud is on the frame, and hold it there.
5. With right hand, pull back right flap to expose underside of
snap cap, line it up with stud, release flap and press cap onto
stud with one finger. Listen for “snap” sound.
6. Move to next snap, hold left flap down with left fingers.
Repeat snapping, allowing the child to snap the last one. The
bottom snap may have to be pulled onto the frame as the top
snap was.
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

7. Invite child to continue.

8. Fade and observe.

Points of
1. “Snapping” sound
Interest
2. Lining up the cap and stud

Presentation: Unbuttoning:
Buttons 1. With right hand, grasp right half of top button in a pincer
grip by sliding index finger under the edge of the button.
2. With left hand, grasp cloth edge of buttonhole with pincer
grip.
3. Pull each hand slightly apart, then with a turn of your wrist,
angle the button slightly down to penetrate the buttonhole.
4. With left hand, work buttonhole over button to complete
unbuttoning.
5. Continue until all buttons are unbuttoned, allowing the child
to unbutton the last button. Open and peek.

Buttoning:
6. Close flaps, with the flap containing the buttons returned first so
the flap with the buttonholes lays on top. Announce you will
now demonstrate how to button.
7. Starting at top, grasp fabric at buttonhole with right hand pincer
grip and turn back cloth slightly, revealing the button beneath.
8. With left hand, grasp left half of button with pincer grip.
9. With a turn of your wrist, angle the button up, align it with the
buttonhole, and push it through.
10. With right hand, pull the cloth to the left, revealing the edge of
the button in the buttonhole. Release your right hand, and grasp
the protruding edge of the button.
11. With left hand, release button and grasp edge of cloth.
12. Pull button with right hand while thumb of left works
buttonhole around other half of button. Release both hands.
13. Continue with rest of buttons, invite child to button last button.
14. Unbutton the top button and invite the child to continue.
15. Fade and observe.
16. When the cycle of activity is complete, the child returns the
frame to the stand.

Points of 1. The button going in and out of the hole

Interest 2. The placement of the hands

Presentation:
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

Buckles Unbuckling:
1. Hold top buckle in place with a pincer grip, forefinger resting on
top edge and thumb on bottom edge, pointing inward.
2. With other hand, hold top strap end, using 3-finger grip with
thumb pointing toward middle of frame.
3. Push strap through buckle guide until it forms an arch.
4. Using buckle-holding hand, pinch top and bottom edges of strap
piece making aforementioned arch with thumb and forefinger.
5. Pull rest of strap through guide slots using thumb and forefinger,
releasing strap once it is fully through.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for rest of straps, invite child to do last one.
7. Taking top strap in a 3-finger grip with thumb underneath, flip
strap back on itself & pull outward, using buckle as fulcrum.
8. Keep pulling until prong is revealed, freed from punch hole.
9. Find underside of buckle prong with forefinger of other hand,
with remaining fingers steadying frame, resting on strap studs.
10. Lift up prong with forefinger and bend back to face away from
strap end in other hand.
11. Release strap end from 3-finger grip, allowing strap to fall flat on
top of buckle guide and rest of fingers steadying frame.
12. Remove fingers steadying frame.
13. Repeat steps 7-12 for rest of straps, invite child to do last one.
14. Lift end of top strap and pull back on itself using 3-finger grip.
15. Slide two fingers from other hand beneath buckle guide.
16. Grip belt prong with thumb of same hand.
17. Release end of strap from 3-finger grip.
18. Find underside of strap with forefinger of free hand, with
remaining fingers steadying frame & resting on strap studs.
19. Pushing forefinger up and out, free rest of strap from buckle.
20. Repeat steps 14-19 for rest of straps, invite child to do last one.
21. Fold back leather flaps and peek through frame.

Buckling:
22. Close frame by folding leather inward, buckle side first.
23. Grip strap by top and bottom edges, using thumb and forefinger
in pincer grip.
24. Keeping shape of strap end by locking wrist, move hand
outward, away from center line of frame.
25. Grab buckle by top and bottom edges, using thumb and
forefinger of free hand in pincer grip.
26. Tilt buckle vertically with pincer grip to create a gap that will
easily accept strap end.
27. Bring hands together, feeding end of strap between guide and bar
of buckle.
28. Once strap end is fed through buckle, release buckle from grip.
29. Grab strap end with free hand in a 3-finger grip.
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

30. Release strap edges as 3-finger grip hand takes strap end.
31. Grab top and bottom buckle edges with thumb and forefinger of
newly freed hand.
32. Hold buckle in place as rest of strap is pulled through gap, then
release grip of both hands.
33. Repeat steps 23-32 for rest of straps, invite child to do last one.
34. Grab strap end with 3-finger grip, thumb on strap underside.
35. Pull strap back on itself and outward using buckle as fulcrum.
36. Use forefinger of free hand to place prong inside punch hole,
steadying rest of frame with remaining fingers.
37. Flip strap back into flat position using 3-finger grip and release.
38. Repeat steps 34-37 for rest of straps, invite child to do last one.
39. Grab strap end by top and bottom edges, using thumb and
forefinger in pincer grip.
40. Keeping shape of strap end by locking wrist, move hand back
and above center line of frame.
41. Grab top and bottom buckle edges with pincer grip of free hand.
42. Tilt buckle vertically to create gap to better accept strap end.
43. Bring hands together, feeding end of strap into gap and beneath
buckle guide.
44. Release strap edges, grabbing top and bottom buckle edges in a
pincer grip.
45. Release buckle edges, grabbing strap end in a 3-finger grip.
46. Pull strap through rest of buckle guide, release grip of both
hands.
47. Repeat steps 39-46 for rest of straps, invite child to do last one.
48. Invite child to repeat/explore activity on their own.
49. Fade and observe.
50. When cycle of activity is complete, child returns the material.

Points of 1. Placement of fingers on buckle/strap edges

Interest 2. Transfer of strap between hands
3. Steadying frame with free fingers when pulling strap back

Presentation:
Unzipping:
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

Zipper 1. Grasp left zipper tape at top stop with a pincer grip of the
left hand. Hold firmly.
2. Grasp slide with pincer grip of right hand. Pull slider
down using a steady pace to unzip.
3. When you get to the bottom, hold the zipper slide with
one hand and use the other hand to release the zipper
from the slide.
4. Open and peek.

Zipping:
4. Grasp right zipper tape with right pincer grip just beside the
lower stop. Brace middle finger under stop.
5. Grasp left zipper tape beside insert pin with pincer grip of
left hand. Insert pin into retaining box firmly. Do not let go.
6. Let your right hand go and grasp the slider tab with right
pincer grip.
7. Using the left hand to steady the bottom, pull up to zip the
zipper.
8. Invite child.
9. Fade and observe.
10. When cycle of activity is complete, child returns the material.

Points of 1. Getting the zipper in and out of the slide

Interest 2. Seating the zipper at the bottom
3. The zipping motion

Presentation: Untying:
Bows 1. Grip bow ends between thumbs and forefingers.
2. Pull bow ends outward until bow is undone.
3. Release bow lace ends from hands.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for rest of bows, invite child to do last one.
5. Hold frame steady with left hand.
6. Pinch center knot of bow lace between thumb and forefinger of
right hand, forefinger on top.
7. Allow forefinger to slide between frame and center knot.
8. Pull upward, making sure child can see division of laces.
9. Move bow laces back to each of their respective sides of frame.
10. Repeat steps 5-9 for rest of bows, invite child to do last one.
11. Open flaps and peek through frame.

Tying:
12. Close frame by folding fabric inward, one after the other.
13. Cross bow laces over to opposite sides of frame.
14. Repeat steps 12-13 for rest of bows, invite child to do last one.
15. Holding frame steady with right hand, pinch center overlap
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

between thumb and forefinger of left hand, forefinger on top.

16. Allow bow laces to slip between fingers, stop 6” above frame.
17. Replace right hand to reach up into gap between frame and lace.
18. Grip hanging left bow lace with 3-finger pincer grip.
19. Pull left bow lace back through gap, holding to frame right side.
20. Slip bow lace between left hand fingers and grip at end with
thumb on top. Pull hands outward, tightening knot.
21. Repeat steps 15-20 for rest of bows, invite child to do last one.
22. Slip right forefinger beneath lace now on left, pull up and stop 3”
above frame.
23. Use left hand pincer grip to isolate bow loop
24. Replace right pincer grip onto right lace, wrapping clockwise
around loop, wrapping left thumb and back to frame right side.
25. Use right forefinger to push lace through gap made by left thumb
and replace left hand pincer grip on lace pushed through gap.
26. Replace right hand pincer grip onto end of right bow lace.
27. Pull loops with both hands outward, tightening knot.
28. Repeat steps 22-27 for rest of bows, invite child to do last one.
29. Invite child to repeat/explore activity on their own.
30. Fade and observe.
31. When cycle of activity is complete, child returns the material.

Points of 1. Position/orientation of fingers ensure maximum visibility

Interest 2. Slow, analyzed hand movements
3. Different colored ribbons for each frame side enhance visibility
4. Cross arms to fold/unfold/transfer sides of bow laces
5. Stitches on either frame side measure how much ribbon to grab

Presentation: Unlacing:
Shoe Lace 1. Untie knot at bottom of frame by pincer-gripping lace ends with
both hands and pulling in opposite directions outward.
2. Pull left side of fabric back from middle of frame with pincer
grip of left hand, revealing underside of eyelet.
3. Use right hand to form a pincer grip and feed lace out through
eyelet, crossing lace from one side of frame to other.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for other eyelets, left to right and bottom to top.
5. Invite child to do last eyelet pair, freeing lace and setting aside.
6. Open flaps of frame and peek inside.

Lacing:
7. Take lace in hand and fold it over on itself, lay vertically above
frame so midpoint can be clearly seen.
8. Fold right flap back on itself with right hand pincer grip.
9. Grip end of lace between left pincer fingers and feed through
eyelet, transferring to right pincer fingers that pull lace through.
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

10. Stop feeding lace a few inches shy of its midpoint.

11. Mirror steps 8-10 on left side of frame at eyelet opposite last.
12. Adjust lace so midpoint lines up with middle of frame.
13. Starting from right, hold fabric flap back and insert end of lace
through underside of second eyelet, using left pincer fingers,
then transferring to right pincer fingers as before.
14. Mirror step 13 on left side of the frame at eyelet opposite last.
15. Repeat steps 13-14 for eyelets, right to left and top to bottom.
16. Invite child to feed lace through last pair of eyelets.
17. Cross laces over each other, transferring between pincer grips on
either hand.
18. Reach into gap between frame and lace overlap with right hand
to right pincer-grip end of lace, letting other lace end slip
through fingers of left hand in pincer grip.
19. Pull outward with pincer grip of both hands to tighten knot.
20. Bend laces back on themselves in their respective hands and
pinch at bases on loops.
21. Wrap loops around each other and through gap, transfer hands
and pull through, making a bow.
22. Invite child to repeat/explore activity on their own.
23. Fade and observe.
24. When cycle of activity is complete, child returns the material.

1. Manual dexterity is tested in way bow loops are made

Points of
2. Pointing out eyelets to students
Interest
3. Showing how laces are fed through back of frame, yet come out
through front (herringbone pattern)
4. Making special note of shoelace midpoint for later adjustments

Presentation: Unlacing:
Boot Lace 1. Untie knot at top of frame by pincer-gripping boot lace ends with
both hands and pulling in opposite directions outward.
2. Use right hand pincer grip to reach between knot and frame,
pulling upward to loosen.
3. Release boot lace, revealing lace ends crossing over each other.
4. Cross arms and pincer-grip lace with fingers of opposite hands.
5. Pull arms apart while still gripping lace ends to show lace is now
only held in position by hooked eyelets.
6. Pull downward to free lace from hooked eyelets.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 for rest of hooked eyelets, inviting child to free
lace from last set of hooked eyelets at midpoint of frame.
8. Pull right side of leather back from middle of frame with pincer
grip of right hand, revealing underside of punched eyelet.
9. Use opposite hand to form a pincer grip and feed lace out
through the eyelet, crossing lace from one side of frame to other.
10. Mirror step 9 on left side of the frame at eyelet opposite last.
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

11. Repeat steps 8-9 for other eyelets, right to left and top to bottom.
12. Invite child to do last eyelet pair, freeing lace and setting aside.
13. Open leather flaps of frame and peek inside.

Lacing:
14. Take lace in hand and fold it over on itself, lay vertically above
frame so midpoint can be clearly seen.
15. Fold left flap back on itself with left hand pincer grip.
16. Grip end of lace between right pincer fingers and feed through
punched eyelet, transferring to left pincer grip.
17. Feed lace through and stop a few inches shy of its midpoint.
18. Mirror steps 15-16 on right side of frame at eyelet opposite last.
19. Adjust lace so midpoint lines up with middle of frame.
20. Starting from left, hold fabric flap back and insert end of lace
through underside of second punched eyelet, using right pincer
fingers, then transferring to left pincer fingers as before.
21. Mirror step 20 on right side of the frame at eyelet opposite last.
22. Repeat steps 19-20 for eyelets, left to right and bottom to top.
23. Invite child to feed lace through last pair of punched eyelets.
24. Cross laces over each other, transferring between pincer grips on
either hand.
25. Reach into gap between frame and lace overlap with right hand
to right pincer-grip end of lace, letting other lace end slip
through fingers of left hand in pincer grip.
26. Pull outward with pincer grip of both hands to tighten knot.
27. Bend laces back on themselves in their respective hands and
pinch at bases on loops.
28. Wrap loops around each other and through gap, transfer hands
and pull through, making a bow.
29. Invite child to repeat/explore activity on their own.
30. Fade and observe.
31. When cycle of activity is complete, child returns the material.

Points of 1. Showing how both hooked and punched eyelets can hold laces
Interest 2. Crossing arms over to signify lace overlapping

Following None
Exercises

Pedagogical  Make sure materials are easy for small hands to grasp
Notes  Be aware of other types of childrens clothes fasteners (i.e. Velcro)
 Encourage parents to have kids practice on their own clothes at home
The following dressing frame pictures are linked to their source websites:
 Care of the Self
Dressing Frames

Snap Frame Button Frame

Buckle Frame Zipper Frame Bow Frame

Bootlace Frame Shoelace Frame