How to Teach a Child to Tie Laces
It is easy to put off teaching your child how to tie shoelaces in a world of Velcro straps and slip-on rubber clogs. At some point, though, your child needs to learn this necessary life skill for the inevitable moment when he is running around with friends and tripping over his own untied shoelaces. After all, he is eventually going to wear a pair of shoes with laces. Teaching this basic skill to your kid can seem daunting, but it is an important milestone in his young life.
Things You'll Need
- Shoes
- Shoelaces
Instructions
Loop, Swoop and Pull
Confirm that your child is ready to learn how to tie shoelaces, usually between age 4 and 6. Teach your child the difference between left and right to prepare her for learning to tie laces. Position yourself next to your child to teach him how to tie laces so that he can copy your exact movements. Allow him to practice with a shoe on his foot or let him hold the shoe in his lap. Cross one lace over the other, wrap it around the opposite lace and pull the ends tight to form a starting knot. Form a loop with the lace that is on the right. Hold the loop in your right hand. Check to make sure that your child is doing the same. Wrap the remaining lace behind the loop and back around to the left front with your left hand. Show your daughter how to gently push the new loop through the hole that you just created with your left thumb. Pull the loop through from the other side with your right hand. Help your child to firmly pull on both loops in opposite directions to tighten the knot. Bunny Ears
Confirm that your child is ready to learn how to tie shoelaces, usually between age 4 and 6. Teach your child the difference between left and right to prepare her for learning to tie laces. Position yourself next to your child to teach him how to tie laces so that he can copy your exact movements. Allow him to practice with a shoe on his foot or let him hold the shoe in his lap. Cross one lace over the other, wrap it around the opposite lace and pull the ends tight to form a starting knot. Form two loops, or bunny ears, using each side of the laces. Confirm that your child is doing the same on his shoe. Wrap the left loop behind the right loop and around to the front. Show your daughter how to push the left loop gently through the hole that you created. Help your child to firmly pull on both loops in opposite directions to tighten the knot.
