Gently stroke child dressing (5)
I believe the answer is:
patch
'dressing' is the definition.
(both can mean a fabric covering)
'gently stroke child' is the wordplay.
'gently stroke' becomes 'pat' (pat can mean to stroke or touch. I am not sure about the 'gently' bit.).
'child' becomes 'ch' (abbreviation for child).
'pat'+'ch'='PATCH'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for patch that I've seen before include "Small piece of ground" , "Repair; area" , "Piece of sewn-on material" , "temporary repair" , "Piece of material sewn over a hole" .)