Comments on: How to Teach a Child to Tie Shoes

on 6/23/2008 depending on the child, two bunny ears and a simple knot may or may not work. Remember that every child learns differently! :)

on 11/22/2005 Use a wooden model shaped like a shoe, with multicolored strings.
1. Hold up both strings. Then cross your hands over exchanging the strings in the other hand while passing them over.
2. Let the strings drop. Pick the coordinating strings back up with coordinating hands. Strings should look like a X. Pick the strings back up and let the right hand drop the string. Pick the string back up with the right hand, while picking the string up this time, pull it through the hole the two string now are making toward your chest.
3. Pull the two strings together tight in a downward position Make a bunny ear with each string(bending the string). With each bunny ear made, lay one over the other, letting the right hand drop the folded string again, then, pull it back toward your chest this last time. While pulling through the hole again, pull the bunny ears in the opposite direction very tight.

on 11/22/2005 I am left handed and my kids are right-handed. If I sit across from them, the way I tie a bow will match what they are to do. The trick is to sit across from each other, not side by side, if one of you is left handed and the other is right handed.

on 1/15/2008 I discovered this way of tying shoelaces by watching "Raising Helen." The story goes like this: "Make two bunny ears. The bunny runs around the tree. The bunny jumps in a hole. Close it up tight!"

This technique really works! The child doesn't need to know left from right, and all they have to remember is the story of the little bunny.

on 11/22/2005 Using an old shoe, make a lace of half one color and half another. I tied a couple of short laces (one patterned and one white) together. Do the other old shoe the same way. One is for you to use to demonstrate tying and the other is for your child to use and follow along.

on 11/22/2005 Use one colored lace and a white lace. It really helps with visually distinguishing when it comes to the loop, fold-over part. You can also make a "big shoe" using cardboard, punch holes and use real laces, using the 2 different colors for practicing lacing and tying.My daughter had this skill "down pat" by age 3 because it was in the 3-6 class at her Montessori and they had choices to do what they wanted! :)