By age 5, what dressing skill should a child typically have?

By the age of 5, a child typically has developed the skill to get fully dressed independently, which includes a variety of dressing tasks such as putting on their own clothes, managing zippers, and sometimes even handling buttons. This level of independence in dressing is a significant milestone in a child's development, as it demonstrates their growing fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and self-care skills.

At this age, children are often able to coordinate the steps necessary to dress themselves without needing assistance, showcasing their improving dexterity and understanding of how clothing functions. Mastery of these skills allows children to gain confidence in their ability to dress and promotes a sense of autonomy.

While buttoning shirts, putting on shoes, and tying shoelaces are also important skills that children develop around this age, the ability to get fully dressed independently encompasses a wider range of dressing skills and is a more comprehensive indicator of their readiness for self-sufficiency in this area. Thus, the expectation by age 5 is for children to achieve full independence in dressing.