At what age does a child typically develop a sense of independence in dressing themselves?

A child typically starts to develop a sense of independence in dressing themselves between ages 2 to 3 years. During this period, toddlers exhibit growing motor skills and an increasing desire to do things on their own, including dressing.

By the time they reach 4 to 5 years, they not only have better fine motor skills but also more understanding of how to coordinate putting on clothes and may do so with minimal help. They begin to choose their outfits and feel proud of their ability to dress themselves, which fosters their sense of independence.

At ages 6 to 7 years and 1 to 2 years, the stages of dressing are significantly different. At 1 to 2 years, children are primarily dependent on caregivers for dressing, as their motor skills are still developing. By 6 to 7 years, children are typically proficient in dressing and may also start taking on more complex dressing tasks, but a sense of independence is more strongly established in the earlier age range of 4 to 5 years.