Video:Tips for Teaching Kids to Tie Shoeswith Kathy Moore
When children learn to tie their own shoes, they take another step towards responsibility and independence. Find out when a child is ready to tie laces, and see some useful tips that will make this task easier for your little one.See Transcript
Transcript:Tips for Teaching Kids to Tie ShoesHi! I'm Kathy Moore for About.com parenting. For most of us, tying our shoes is something we do every day without much thought or effort. But learning how to tie shoes can be frustrating for kids. This program will offer tips on teaching your child to tie her own shoes.
When Is a Child Ready to Tie Shoes?If your child has the motor skills to handle a scissors, then you can bet she is ready to learn the art of shoe tying.
Shoe Tying Practice TipsTo make the task less daunting, have your child practice on a big shoe. You can also color one half of the lace with a marker to make it easier to follow the process.
Break the Shoe Tying Into StepsThen, break it down into these simple steps:
- Crisscross the laces to make a big X.
- Tuck one lace underneath and pull it through. Pull both laces tight to the shoe.
- Make a loop or bunny ear out of one lace.
- While holding the bunny ear with one hand, wrap the other lace around the bunny ear and then push the middle part of the lace through the hole under the bunny ear.
- Let go of the first bunny ear and grab the second one then pick up one bunny ear in each hand and hold them between each thumb and index finger, and pull them tight.
- Adjust the bunny ears so they are about the same size.