How to help kids with their mittens

The “Alligator hand” technique

Have your child press her fingers tightly together and point her thumb downward, like an alligator getting ready to take a bite. This motion will get the thumb into the hole almost every time. —ModernParentsMessyKids.com

The “Touch my nose” technique

Hold the mitten up to your face with the open end facing your child. Ask him to touch your nose through the mitten. This will help him point his hand straight into the opening. —ParentHacks.com

A version of this article appeared in our January 2015 issue with the headline "How to help kids with their mittens", p. 38.