Ruffle dress size 3-5

The ruffle dress is the dress I wanted when I was 4 years old. It was developed from a pattern originally produced in 1982. The body has changed to allow more growth - now able get more than one season in, the arms have lengthened depending on the materials & the yoke is resized... so really is now a completely different dress but based on a pattern from the 80's. When I make this dress I think what would my inner 3-5year old self want?  Then as a parent, what do I want a dress for my 3-5yr old to do (and it is more than just cover)