How to Teach Kids To Tie Shoes

This post was first published Aug 2013. Updated 2018.

How To Teach A Kid To Tie Their Shoes

Teaching a child to tie their shoes hasgotto be i of the most frustrating tasks for a parent of preschool or school-anile children (or maybe it is just me). I think I would much rather potty train a toddler than attempt to teach a v-yr old how to tie his shoes.

Okay, mayhap that'due south a little flake of a stretch…merely it istough work.

Although this task is very of import if your child attends school outside of the dwelling house, it is also very important for their self-aid/adaptive evolution. We could just buy them Velcro shoes for the rest of their life (and believe me, I've considered it), just at some point your child will demand to know how to tie a simple bow knot.

I've been working with Big Brother for a couple weeks at present (hither and there). Although he hasn't mastered the skill quite yet, he has made a lot of progress! I amfarfrom an expert (I have yet to successfully teach a child quite notwithstanding), just thought I would share a few tricks we've learned forth the way (and also some helpful suggestions from my wonderful readers).

Shoe Tying Tricks

1. Start 'em Young

No, no, no…I don't mean to interruption out the shoelaces with your ii-year quondam and brainstorm practicing. Shoe-tying requires precise fine motor control, which is difficult for many young children. When your child is a toddler, begin working on activities that require your child to use the small-scale muscles in his/her hands. As she progresses through her development, keep presenting challenging fine motor tasks. When the fourth dimension comes that your kidneedsto acquire to necktie her shoes, she'll accept lots of opportunities to develop those modest mitt muscles!

Looking for more fine motor activities, check out our Fine Motor Pinterest board.

two. Exist Patient

Teaching kids to tie shoes istough. They probably won't "become it" the outset, 2d, or fifty-fifty twentieth time that yous testify them. Hang in in that location…your child won't be graduating loftier school all the same wearing Velcro shoes. Itwillhappen at some point.

3. Give Lots of Praise

Gloat the small steps. Once your child can complete the first step (crossing and pulling the shoelaces), praise him/her for their hard work. Turn on some fun music and brand shoe-tying practise a fun and enjoyable fourth dimension!

4. Work on Learning To Tie Shoes for 10-15 minutes at a Time

I made the error of working with Big Brother for an hour ane day. I gave lots of praise and he made a lot of progress, but he wasdonewith learning to tie shoes by the end. Splitting it up into smaller increments makes it much less frustrating for your child (and y'all).

5.  Start Big

Several people on my Facebook page shared that they first taught their kid how to necktie a bow using a bound rope underneath both of their legs. Once they mastered the skill on a larger calibration, they then let him/her try it using shoelaces.

half dozen. Get the Correct Laces

Use flat, long laces to teach kids to tie shoes. The rounded laces are sometimes also difficult for little fingers to manipulate.

vii.  Don't Lace the Top Holes on Your Shoe

I've found that almost shoelaces are but a tiny scrap shorter than what is easiest for kids to tie. Remedy this problem by lacing only to the second holes from the top of the shoe. This will requite just a lilliputian scrap of extra length for your child to piece of work with.

8. Mark and Make a Knot in the Laces

I learned this from the Magical Molly video  (although we simplified and adapted it quite a bit), I merely marked the laces with a Sharpie where the first loop will be made and then then made a knot where he will pull it through the hole.

More than Resources To Teach Kids To Necktie Their Shoes:

Magical Molly Shoe-tying video resources for parents

Easy Shoe Tying Video (this looks Nifty and super easy for picayune kids merely we had already started working on tying shoes using the loop and swoop method, and then I didn't effort this with Big Brother as not to confuse him).

Melissa & Doug Wood Lacing Sneaker:  Nosotros don't personally have this, but many people have suggested it to introduce a child to the concept of lacing and tying shoes. It is basically but a tool to practice without having to put a shoes on your child's feet.

You May Also Be Interested In:

Goal Setting For Kids (gratuitous printable)

Moving To A Large Child Bed

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Source: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/tips-for-teaching-your-child-how-to-tie-shoes/