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Teach Kids How to Fold Shirts

Ah, laundry! That perennial task multiplies faster than rabbits. We’ve all been there. You’re wading through the laundry mountain, and amidst the hustle and bustle of parenting, you think, “Wouldn’t it be great if the kids could help?” Good news! They can. We’ve broken down the seemingly complex task of shirt folding into bite-sized, kid-friendly steps. In addition, our Goal Mine class has a nifty video to demonstrate this life skill, making it perfect for visual learners. Let your kids watch it; soon enough, they’ll fold their shirts like pros!

Step NumberTaskDescription
1Find Space to FoldIdentify a suitable and comfortable spot for your child, ensuring good lighting and enough space to spread out the shirt.
2How to Fold ShirtsLay the shirt face down, fold the sides towards the center, manage the sleeves accordingly, and finally fold it in half from bottom to neckline.
3Put Them AwayTeach kids where and how to store their neatly folded shirts, emphasizing the importance of organization and immediate storage.

Step 1: Find Space to Fold

  • Finding a suitable space is crucial. We’re not just talking about any flat surface. We mean a spot where your child feels comfortable and can spread out without feeling overwhelmed. For instance, a clean dining table or a bed might be ideal.
  • Location Matters: Consider an area with good lighting so your child can clearly see the wrinkles and seams. After all, no one wants to wear a shirt with a rogue crease!
  • Freedom to Spread Out: Ensure they have enough space to lay out the shirt completely. This way, they don’t feel like they’re wrestling with it.
how to fold shirts. a mom is showing her daughter how to fold her clothes
Read more: How to Fold Pants for Kids

Step 2: How to Fold Shirts

Alright, let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the matter. Folding a shirt may seem like rocket science to some, but with these steps, even your young one can master it.

  • Lay it Out: Place the shirt face down. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Yes, we know, kids and “gentle” sometimes feel worlds apart. However, with some practice, they’ll get the hang of it.
  • Fold the Sides: Fold the left side towards the center. Do the same with the right side. In other words, the shirt should now have a rectangular shape.
  • Deal with the Sleeves: If it’s a long-sleeved shirt, fold the sleeves back over the folded side sections. Meanwhile, short sleeves will naturally align with the folded sections.
  • The Final Touch: Fold the shirt in half, starting from the bottom and bringing it up to the neckline.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The first few attempts might yield something other than laundry-store results. But, with consistency, your child will become a shirt-folding ninja!

Read more: Teaching Your Kid How to Fold Socks and Underwear

Step 3: Put Them Away

The act of folding is only part of the journey. Teaching kids where and how to store their neatly folded shirts is equally essential. For instance, allocate a specific drawer or section of their wardrobe for shirts.
Categorize Group shirts by type or color. This teaches them organization skills and makes dressing up more manageable in the morning.
Stack ‘Em Up: Ensure shirts are stacked neatly, one on the other. Once folded, shirts should be placed in their designated spot immediately. It reduces the chance of them unfolding.

An assortment of interactive video class thumbnails, including dental care and cooking, on the best tablet for kids by Goally.

Goally | Best Videos to Teach Life Skills

Give your kid an independent future. Goally has 100+ video classes teaching life skills like “How to Choose a Restaurant,” “How to Interrupt Politely,” and “How to Get Ready for School.”

Goally takes kids on an adventure that includes interactive practice and checkpoints along the way! No web browsers, YouTube, or social media.

Every parent dreams of the day their child can pitch in with chores. It reduces your workload and equips them with essential life skills. Certainly, folding shirts might seem trivial, but it’s a step towards self-reliance. Above all, remember to be patient and provide gentle guidance. Every child learns at their own pace. To sum up, every small step counts. And if you’re eager for more, why not consider Goally’s dedicated Tablet? It unlocks a world of video lessons, including advanced tips on “how to fold shirts.” While the embedded YouTube video covers just step 1, the Tablet offers an expansive, enriching experience, turning daily chores into fun learning sessions for your kids!

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We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.