How to Tie a Shoe
Many children embrace the challenge of learning to tie their own shoes, particularly those whose peers have already mastered the skill. However, shoe tying takes both manual dexterity and the cognitive ability to remember the steps involved. Most children don't start learning to tie their shoes before the ages of 4 or 5, most girls don't master the skill before age 6, and most boys can't tie shoes on their own before the age of 7, according to the Parents website. You can help your child learn to tie his shoes by demonstrating the process and providing reminders as he attempts it on his own. Begin by going through the entire process, and then go through one step at a time with you demonstrating and your child practicing.
Things You'll Need
- Clean, adult-sized shoe with shoelace
Instructions
Introduce your child to shoe tying with a clean adult shoe with laces. This allows him to practice tying shoes without the need to stoop or maneuver his feet into the correct position. It also allows you to instruct your child in a comfortable position. Place the shoe on a flat surface in front of your child so that the toe of the shoe points away from the body. Using a table or desk for initial instruction works best, as it allows you to reach around your child easily and puts the shoe at a comfortable level for your child. Stand behind your child and reach around him with both arms. Make sure your child is watching as you as you demonstrate how to tie a shoe. Working from behind you eliminates the confusion of trying to repeat a procedure performed from a different angle. Grasp the ends of both shoe laces with your hands and pull the ends of the shoe laces taut. Cross the laces to form an X in front of the tongue of the shoe, with the left lace on top. Loop the left lace under the right and pull taut against the opening of the shoe. Form a 2-inch loop in the right lace, pinching it together at the front of the shoe. Wrap the left shoelace over the loop, approximately 1-inch from the base of the loop. Tuck the end of the left lace through the opening created between the loop and the second lace. Grasp the looped end as it comes through the opening and pull taut to create the second bow. Repeat the procedure with your child, as he holds the laces and you physically guide his hand movements, while verbally describing the steps as you complete them. Encourage your child to tie the shoes on her own, following your verbal prompts, until he has mastered the procedure.
