November 14, 2006 8:48 AM
Teaching kids to tie shoes
Meg asked about teaching kids to tie shoes. I have to admit, I find this one of the most daunting requirements of being a mother.
I personally have always tied my own shoes the "wrong" way: by making two loops and then tying them. I think this way actually works best for teaching kids, though.
You can see it demonstrated step-by-step at Two Lace Shoelace Knot at a fascinating place called Ian's Shoelace Site.
For parents just beginning this adventure, the important thing is to remember that it's just like anything else we teach children: we have to take something we've done automatically and easily for years and analyze it, breaking it down into teensy tiny steps. Whatever method you use to teach your children, Ian's Site will help you understand the process thoroughly so that you can pass on this important part of our heritage to your children :)
One idea: before teaching your child to tie his own shoe, use very large shoe with thick shoelaces. Color each side of the shoelace a different color to cut down the confusion as he masters the steps. You might put a special sticker on the shoe for every time he gets it right. This is something you will want him to practice over and over until it becomes automatic.
As he is successful, you can transition to his own laces with his shoe off his foot, then finally while on.
Meg, thanks for asking about this. I really enjoyed discovering Ian's Shoelace Site and being able to pass it on.
Posted in Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Hello Mrs. Curtis, I found your site on a homeschooling search and I wanted to tell you how much I like it! What a great resource of all kinds of inspiring and useful information! I was reading that you live in Loudoun county - I actually lived in Ashburn/Leesburg for a while several years (and a marriage and twin baby boys) ago. Do you mind if I include a link to your site from my own blog? Keep up the great writing! Sincerely, SeaBird
Posted by: SeaBird | November 14, 2006 3:07 PM
ooooohhh...yeah! I've JUST been thinking about HOW we are going to go about teaching our kids to tie shoes!!! Thanks for the post! : ) Seems like such a HARD thing to teach...yes, daunting! Hmmmmmm....I guess we'll be moving forward sooner than later! : )
Posted by: shawnda | November 14, 2006 4:09 PM
Finally, I taught my son to tie his laces, just now, inspired by you. (He's almost 9.)
I've been saved by velcro and zippers all these years.
Posted by: Mel | November 14, 2006 7:44 PM
I have been putting my 5 year old son off for a year! He will soon be the envy of all the other 5 year olds!
Posted by: sarah | November 14, 2006 8:20 PM
Welllllll........
Really, all you have to do is have your older kids teach your younger kids how to tie their shoes. :) Saves lots of work for mom! :) I think I've only taught one child so far to tie shoes.
Posted by: Holly | November 14, 2006 9:09 PM
YAY! Our 4 year old has recently become completely absorbed in the idea of "tying". It started with tying her bathrobe "belt"....which we explained as "you make a "cross" or an "x", now see the little hole? stick in the bottom one, now pull!" (she is REALLy big into "crosses" or "x's", so giving her that "mental" picture really helped her analyze the procedure)...now though she is wanting to do shoes and it being a bit more complicated I was kind of at a loss approaching it...I *lurve* the different colored laces for simplicity sake! GREAT idea! Thanks!!
~kristy
SAHM to Julia, 4 and Megan age 3
Baby #3 due anyday!
Posted by: Kristy | November 15, 2006 3:59 AM
I would like to recommend Loop Laces, www.looplace.com , they are great! Easy to tie, so the kids love them and teaches kids the important steps of tying easily
Posted by: Nicki | August 5, 2007 6:21 PM
I've read through all of your posts as well as other across the internet all with similar issue surrounding teaching children to tie their shoes. It got me thinking and experimenting with better ways of teaching and an intermediate step where children have an aid of sorts so they can tie at school. Check out my "Mom Invented, Kid Approved" product...launched yesterday at www.tiebuddies.com. I hope you all find this as helpful as I did. My girls are happily tying away with fairies and wands to help!
Posted by: Wendy | October 9, 2007 7:30 PM
These work great! My daughter learned to tie in just a couple tries. Plus, they look really cute on her shoes.
Posted by: courtney | January 22, 2009 4:07 PM
