by Shen-Li Lee

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: July 22, 2009

Toddlerhood has been identified as the first adolescence because it is a period marked with many battle of wills and open defiance as toddlers begin to discover self and a desire for autonomy. Among the many tasks that parents require their toddler's cooperation is the act of changing clothes. Although there are times where there is a good reason for your toddler's unwillingness to cooperate, there are even more times when the reason simply boils down to individual toddler idiosyncrasies.

Here are some techniques for gaining your toddler's cooperation without the need to wrestle him (or her) to the ground and forcibly change his (or her) clothes against his (or her) will:

1. Distract

Although this usually works better with younger toddlers who are easily distracted, it can also work well with an older toddler if you choose your distraction well. Sometimes it might be a toy, or object, such as Daddy's usually forbidden mobile phone, that can sufficiently distract a toddler so you can change his (or her) clothes without protest. With an older toddler, a suitable distraction might be engaging your toddler in a conversation about a favourite story or character.

2. Rewards

Older toddlers respond fairly well to rewards. Treats that are ordinarily forbidden or limited might be sufficient to gain cooperation, for instance, a piece of chocolate. Alternatively, you can reward your toddler with a sticker for his (or her) cooperation.

Rewards can come in all manner of ways and do not necessarily have to be limited to physical prizes. Sometimes the promise of a special activity, like a trip to the park, can be just the thing to encourage your toddler to change his (or her) clothes. For instance: "If you want to go to the park you need to change out of your pajamas into your play clothes."

3. Favourite Clothes

Toddlers are also beginning to form their own preferences and this can be utilised to your advantage. Toddlers who have favourite clothes can often be encouraged to change simply by showing them what they will get to wear. For instance, a toddler who loves Mickey Mouse might be enticed sufficiently to change if he (or she) spies her favourite Mickey t-shirt.

4. Easy Clothes

Toddlers have short attention spans, especially when it comes to doing something you want them to do. Even if you have successfully gained your toddler's agreement to change his (or her) clothes, don't expect your toddler to be patient about it. To keep the process of changing

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