Is It Normal for a 7Yr Old Not to Be Able to Zip a Jacket?

Every child is different. Not being able to zip her jacket at 7 is acceptable. Why is it important that she be able to do that.

I understand being impatient with her. However, I suggest that when you insist she do it, she may be too anxious to even try. I'd ignore the zipper for awhile. Don't zip it. It's OK to not have it zipped in most situations. If she asks you to zip try just saying it's OK, honey, to leave it undone. Or quietly zip it and pleasantly say someday you'll know how to do this. Make zipping or not zipping no big deal. She will eventually be able to Zipp zipper.

Some zippers are trickier than others.
Have her practice zipping up a jacket on a doll or teddy bear.
Or you can zip hers and she can zip yours (trade favors).
Eventually she'll do her own.
She really doesn't like her jacket, does she?
Next time, get her one with snaps or buttons.

Additional:
Get her or make her a hooded poncho.
I had one at that age and I enjoyed being 'little red riding hood' - it was a cute look.
Slips over her head easily and there's nothing to zip up or fasten.

Depends on the jacket. Some jackets have really tough zippers - small pull tabs, small teeth, fabric that tends to get caught.

If she can't do any zippers at all, then you need to spend some time teaching her.

ETA: After reading your previous question, I would guess that the real answer as to why she doesn't zip her jacket herself is because she doesn't want to wear it.

As a teacher ( substitute 15 years) we help children with zippers, tying shoes, etc.

I wouldn't say she's behind if she has a little issue here and there. Practice at home!

This is on top of your last question, so I think we can't answer it without knowing if it's a "zip" problem or an "I don't want to wear my jacket" problem. Without a resolution to your last question, I wouldn't have any idea how to approach this one - except to say, as we did on your last question, LET IT GO! Stop obsessing about the zipping - you should be thrilled if she even puts it on. If she doesn't wear it, or if she wears it and doesn't zip it....what's the worst, absolute worst that could happen? She would get cold, and she would learn her lesson. Sounds good to me.

I'm grown and still have difficulty getting the ends of the zipper lined up to start it.

I'd only be concerned if she couldn't do other manual or dextrous things like cut paper or draw straight lines.
Some zippers are nasty. We've had winter coats where I had to zip them up for my kids because they were either hard to get started or would get caught in the fabric. I typically consider that now before buying as little kids have hard time and give up. Our teachers have had to go around and help kids at that age.
Have her practice with encouragement on a coat with an easy zipper or a hoodie until she feels she's got it. Then tackle the harder zipper. Good luck :)

I think a 7 year old should be able to zip most jackets most of the time. They may still have trouble sometimes, but on the whole, this is something she should be able to do. I would practice with her and have her work at it until she's able to do it on her own the majority of the time. This is a skill kids should be doing around age 5. Does she have problems with any other fine motor skills? If not, then just practice zipping and don't worry about it; however, if she does have other fine motor problems, talk to her teacher or pediatrician about what to do next.

As for wearing the jacket, if frostbite isn't a concern, don't make her wear it. If she's cold enough, she'll put it on. If she doesn't feel cold, don't bother fighting the battle. If frostbite is an issue, explain to her that it is 100% necessary to wear the jacket on those days and agree with her not to fight it on the days that it isn't dangerously cold. Show her pictures of frostbite victims to scare her if needed. But it's not worth the fight if her health/safety isn't at risk.

Most kids can by 7, but there are usually a few who still need some help. Same with tying shoes.

you are obsessing over this jacket situation.
she probably 'can't' because she doesn't want to, and you've allowed this to become a stupid unwinnable battle.
help her zip it or get her one with buttons.
khairete
S.

Who wants it to be zipped - you or her? If she consistently puts on the jacket and makes no effort to try to zip it and instead comes to you whining for help, then you either a: teach her patiently to zip (buy a zipper at the fabric store and help her learn) or b: buy her a velcro-closing coat.

If it's you who's insisting that the coat be worn and the coat be zipped, perhaps you just need to let things be. She may be enjoying the drama she's created. "Hmmm, I don't put on my coat, mama gets all crazy, this is kind of fun".

Stop and evaluate this entire situation. How cold is the temperature? Does she run from the house to the bus in 10 seconds and then spends the day in school and the coat is a pain (doesn't fit in the locker, or is too bulky for where coats go? Does she hate the coat? Are you cold and therefore assume she's cold? Does she complain about being cold or seem comfortable? Will she wear a coat when it's snowing and sleeting and the temps are dangerously low? Will she wear a coat when she goes outside to play and a coat is appropriate for the temps and every other kid has a coat on?

Give some thought to the hill you're climbing up and assess, logically, whether this is an issue or not.

Some can, some can't. Just have her practice. It's not a skill that takes long to master. Just show her slowly how to do it and then have her practice while she's sitting on the couch listening to cartoons.

Get her a jacket without a zipper, better yet get her a heavy hoodie style that she can pull over her head. Layers will keep her warmer anyway, right?