Dressing Frames: Button
Materials: A Button Frame: 12” x 12” (30 cm x 30 cm) with two flaps of fabric attached to the frame which fasten with 5-6 buttons.
Purposes:
Functional Independence
Visual Motor Coordination
Fine Motor Control
Manual Dexterity
Age: Large Button: 2 ½ - 3 ½
Small Button: 2 ½ - 3 ½
Preparation: None
Vocabulary:
Button: to unbutton, to button, button, and button hole
Presentation:
Unbuttoning
Invite one child for a lesson on buttoning.
Show the child the materials, how to pick up and carry the frame, return it to the shelf and allow the child to bring it to a table.
Sit to the child’s right, orient the frame with the opening flap on the right
Grasp the top button with your right fingers
Pinch the fabric next to the button with your left fingers.
Pull the fabric and tip the button into the hole.
Switch hands to grasp the button with the left fingers and pinch fabric with the right to pull it over the button.
Repeat for the rest.
Briefly open the fabric and close again.
Buttoning
Explain what you are going to do.
Take the fabric at the top button in the right fingers and fold the fabric over at the buttonhole, peeking your right index finger through.
With the left fingers, push the button into the hole against the finger.
Switch hands so right fingers take the button and left fingers to take the fabric.
Pull the fabric and pull the button.
Repeat all the way down.
Invite the child and encourage repetition.
Fade and observe.
Points of Interest:
The fingers of one hand or the other are always holding onto the button.
Peeking the index finger through the buttonhole to guide button placement.
Following Exercises:
Present small buttons when the child is comfortable with large buttons.
Encourage the child to practice on their own clothing or help a friend with their buttons.