September 26, 2008 7:46 AM
Teaching kids to tie shoes
Rerunning this for the benefit of new readers:
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 Montessori, Mothering, Practical Info, Preschoolers | Permalink
Comments
Thanks for posting this! It is something we need to work on! I've been enjoying your blog for several weeks now. I've given you an award over on my site. Don't feel that you have to play along- but I wanted to give it to you and say, "Thanks!"
Julie
Posted by: Julie | September 26, 2008 8:38 AM
I'm totally procrastinating on this. (Bad!)
I always have to laugh when I catch myself assuming my kids should KNOW what to do--how to tie shoes for instance. The other day I was getting upset with my son for not knowing how to spell contractions. Then I sat back and realized, hmmmm, I'm his teacher and huh! Guess I've never taught him the basics of contractions. [eye roll at myself]
Having to break things down is one of those oft-forgotten but necessary mothering skills.
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | September 26, 2008 11:32 AM
We use the big shoe idea around here too, and I found that placing the shoe up on the table at first helps a lot, it's tough to learn this challenging new skill while trying to bend over and not topple forward at the same time!
Posted by: Danielle | September 26, 2008 12:35 PM
This could not come at a more appropriate time. My 8 year old boy with aspergers has been wearing the shoelaces that are "no-tie" (they curl up really tight), but they aren't lasting like they used to. So just this morning I said we would work on practicing this weekend. The problem I run into is that he does not like things to be loose (the tighter the better), so he has a hard time getting the shoelaces tight enough. We deal with the same thing with regards to his pants. He's tall and skinny so all his pants have to have the waistlines that can be cinched in and the legs have to be long enough!! Dressing can be a challenge to say the least :)
Posted by: Margaret | September 26, 2008 1:35 PM
