In the Northern Hemisphere wintertime brings challenges for getting around in a variety of weather conditions. Kids with learning disabilities may need extra care, support and guidance to negotiate winter weather, depending on their coping skills and special needs.

With inclement weather coming, a game could be made of getting all the necessary garments and equipment together in one place, perhaps near the front door on hooks or in a hall closet. Or, if it is your habit to enter through a back porch or mud room, then that is the place to stash everything.

When my kids were growing up we entered the house through the garage in winter. I installed hooks along the wall at a height the kids could reach with a bench below to sit on the take off boots. As the clothes dryer was in the garage that's where wet gloves, hats and scarves would tumble for a few minutes to dry.

Whatever works best for your kids is okay and the routine to be practiced, especially with your kids that may need help dressing, undressing or remembering what to wear in cold, wet weather or snow.

Help your kids come home with their mittens, scarves and hats by sewing a nametag on the inside of each garment. Even if they can't read, someone at school will then be able to tell what items belong to your child and you're more likely to have her come home completely dressed for the weather.

Back to the little game of practicing dressing and undressing for winter. The weekend is a good time to go through the routine without having the stress of having to get ready by a certain time to be at school or catch the school bus. Winter coats on, mittens and hats off, and put away again - with a treat at the end of the game as a reward for striving to help themselves.

It is worth it to play little games mimicking activities that are needed at different times of the year, because the child then knows why there is a change in routine. And as with every skill to learn, practice makes perfect.

In summary, make a game out of dressing for the inclement weather of winter, so you kids know ahead of time why their routine is changing.

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Article by Susan Kramer; photo credit Stan Schaap