Instructions on Tying Your Shoe Laces

Learning to tie your shoes is a big step that requires patience

Learning to tie your shoes is a great accomplishment in life; one of the first steps to independence and adulthood. When teaching your child to tie her shoes for the first time, be patient. Sit with her side by side, or sit her between your legs so she can see you tie your shoes from the same angle. Be sure to use analogies as you are tying to help the child remember each step.

Things You'll Need

• White shoestrings
• 2 markers, different colors

Instructions

1. Lay the shoestring out on a flat surface and find the center of the lace. Color half of the shoelace one color, and half the other color. This will make it easier for the child to see the different laces as she is learning. For example, make the right shoelace red, and the left shoelace blue.

2. Position the child between your legs and gently hold her hands. Instruct her to pick up the red lace in her right hand and the blue lace in her left hand and cross them, forming an "X." Then guide her right hand, holding the red lace, beneath the crossing point of the two laces and pull tight, forming a knot.

3. Lift the red string, now on the left and make a loop. Do the same with the blue string, now on the right. Have her hold each loop at the base between her pointer finger and thumb. Point out to the child that they look like bunny ears. Cross the ears into an "X", keeping the blue string in front of the red string.

4. Bring the blue loop around the back of the red loop and then down through the hole that has been created by the "X." Pull the two loops tight.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach your child to make one additional knot so he knows how to double knot his shoes.

References

• Wonder Time: How To Tie A Shoe