Things You'll Need:
- Shoes with laces
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Step 1
Choose a quiet time when there are few distractions and the child is receptive to learning a new skill. Give the child a lacing shoe and have one for yourself to use to demonstrate. Sit beside the child.
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Step 2
Place the untied shoe on your lap. Take a lace in each hand and demonstrate crossing the laces into an "X." Instruct the child to insert one lace through the bottom of the "X" and pull both laces tight.
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Step 3
Instruct the child to make a small loop with one of the laces. The loop should not be more than 2-3 inches high and should be made immediately above the tied "X." Instruct the child to hold the loop with the thumb and index finger of one hand.
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Step 4
Show the child how to take the other lace and swoop it around the loop. The swooped lace needs to encircle both the loop and the tips of the thumb and index finger holding the loop. The swooped lace also needs to be wrapped around the loop, thumb, and index fingers without a lot of excess lace being used.
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Step 5
Demonstrate how to move the thumb and index fingers enough so that the swooped lace can be seen through the little hole. Show the child how to identify the swooped lace and tell the child to grab hold of the swooped lace. At the same time the swooped lace is held, the loop needs to be grasped as well.
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Step 6
Show the child how to pull the swooped lace and the loop at the same time in opposite directions. Pull slowly but firmly to tighten the laces into a bow.
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Step 7
Repeat steps 2 through 6 as many times as the child will tolerate. If the child becomes tired or frustrated, stop and resume the lesson at another time.
