Preschool age ( – years) Like other age groups, health and comfort of preschoolers is an important consideration in selection of their clothes. Clothes have to be selected suitably for these children as they play a lot, and the garments should be able to withstand the wear and tear that the average child will give them. Clothes should be made from light weight materials that are pre-shrunk and are easy to care. Cotton is the most suitable fabric for preschoolers.
It is hygienic, absorbent and easy to launder. The design features on the ready-to-wear preschooler’s dress must provide ease in care. Sometimes dresses have trimmings that make the garment difficult to wash and iron. It should be such that it can withstand many launderings and hard wear.
Be sure that fasteners and trimmings are securely attached, decorations are easy to iron, and seams are flat and well finished. F igure : A pparel for preschoolers Children in this age grow rapidly so it is important to make or buy only few garments that will serve for all occasions and purposes. While buying expensive clothes, look for growth features as discussed in the previous section. This will enable a garment to be worn over a longer period of time.
Preschoolers may have definite preference for colours and styles. They start showing interest in their clothing. Personality plays an important role in children’s choice of clothing. Some girls prefer feminine style and like to wear frocks with frills.
Preschool boys may not be as dress conscious as girls, but they like to dress like other boys and be comfortable. It has been observed that, at this stage, girls are permitted to wear pants/jeans/ shorts like boys, although the opposite is not true for boys. Individuality of each child should be respected through clothes, even if they are twins. Identical twins should not be dressed alike unless they wish to.
It is important that preschoolers be given a chance to express their choice while making a purchase for their clothing. Self-help features are important for both child and the mother. These features help the child to become more independent and self-reliant. The desirable features of preschoolers’ dresses are one piece garment with front long openings that can be easily reached, large buttons, large and comfortable necklines without collar and large armholes.
In brief, clothes for preschoolers should be comfortable to wear, easy to maintain, durable to use that provide allowance for growing needs, look attractive in design and colour, and encourage self-reliance.