Tips on Tying Shoelaces

[angela515]

I need to start teaching my 6yr old how to tie his shoes because in his shoe size its very hard to find Velcro straps they are mostly all tie shoes now. So, its time for him to learn.

What are some tips you guys can give me on teaching him to tie shoelaces? Any fun songs or techniques to make this easier for him? He is ADHD so he will need the easiest route if possible to make learning easier for him.

Thanks!

[glitter]

when you show him the 1000 times it will take lol- stand behind him and wrap your arms around his little body so your showing him in the same direction that he will be tying too, it also makes it easier for you to put the laces in his hands so you can guide him through with your hands on top.

[Sluff]

Slip-ons. 

[Hawkeye]

Here are a few ways to try from About.com.  As with anything though practice makes perfect and it will take some time to learn.

Though most kids' shoes now feature Velcro closures, learning to tie ones own shoes is still considered to be milestone that children should master by 5 or 6 years of age. But, teaching a child to tie his own shoes can be frustrating; kids can lose interest quickly if they feel the task is too difficult, or they may seem to "get it" one day only to completely forget the next.

Have no fear, I've got a few tricks up my sleeves that can make teaching a kid to tie his own shoes a bit easier. All kids learn differently, so try a few of these methods and see what works best for your child.

1. Bunny Ears
Probably the most common method for teaching kids to tie their own shoes is the "Bunny Ears" method.

Tell the child that he needs to make his shoe laces into "bunny ears."
First, he needs to secure a knot for the bunny's head. Take the laces and cross them over to make an "X". Then, pull one ear through the bottom of the "X" and pull tight.
Say, "Now we need to give bunny some ears." Loop the laces into "bunny ears".
Tell the child that now we need to "make the bunny ears tight so they don't fall off". Then make another "X" using the "bunny ears", slide one "ear" under the "X" and pull tightly.

2. Bi-Colored Laces
This is a great tip that can really make learning to tie much easier. Take two laces in two different colors and cut them down the middle. Then sew them together to make two bi-colored laces. Lace a pair of old shoes with these funny shoes strings. Using bi-colored laces can really help a kid who has trouble remembering his right from his left. You can use any learning-to-tie method in combination with your bi-colored laces.

3. Cardboard Cut-Out Shoe
Take a cardboard box and cut out an over-sized shoe shape. Have your kid decorate the shoe in any way he wishes. Using a pen, poke holes for laces. Use the bi-colored lace tip above, but instead of cutting the original laces in two, use two entire laces sewn together to create one long, bi-colored shoe string. Lace the shoe and use any teaching method, using this cut-out. Some kids find it easier and more interesting to practice on an over-sized model.

4. The Squirrel and the Tree
This is a fun method that utilizes a kid friendly story and movements that help kids understand and remember the basic steps to shoe tying.
Tell the child to create "tree roots" by making a starter knot.
Make a tree with a long thin loop; hold the loop in the child's right hand.
With his left hand, take hold of the lace and tell him that a squirrel runs around the tree and jumps into the hole under the tree and comes out the other side (he'll need to switch hands at this point which can be difficult for some kids).
Many parents prefer this trick because it teaches the kid to tie shoes with the single loop method.

5. Loop It and Swoop It
This is a less childish, but still memorable way of teaching a child to tie in the traditional single loop method. Teach your child to tie his shoes using the standard tying method, but as you go through the motions say, "loop it, swoop it, pull." Do this over and over while repeating the same three, simple instructions until your child is able to tie his shoes on his own. Encourage him to say "loop it, swoop it, pull" each time he attempts tying his shoes until it becomes second nature.

6. Learning to Tie Toys and Books
If you want to make learning to tie more fun, consider getting your child a toy or book that will help him learn to tie on his own. This is especially helpful for kids who learn best through interaction with toys.

Some suggestions:
Franklin Dress-Up Doll, Melissa & Doug Wood Lacing Sneaker

[MyssAnne]

Do what I still do. I tie it as if it were a regular piece of string, then make two loops and tie those together. More secure that way too! Here are the steps: One. Connect the laces left and right. Two. Take the two ends that are now opposite and loop them (on their own), then tie those together. That's how I learned to tie my shoes, and I still do it that way.

[paris]

I agree with Glitter- stand behind him to teach him. My husband learned by sitting in front of his father while his father taught him how to tie.  He ties his shoes backwards from everyone else  to this very day.   Aren't these milestones in their young lives fun?  Good luck!

[angela515]

Thanks everyone.

[goofynina]

And one more thing that is a must, is.........patience     running a day care i learned quickly that having alot of patience got me further than not having any at all (if that makes any sense) 

[Sluff]

I still think my idea was the easiest.

[goofynina]

I still think my idea was the easiest.

That it was my friend BUT, i dont know about you all but i think i would have a problem seeing a kid in high school wearing velcro shoes   They've got to learn sometime and no better time than the present 

[angela515]

Sluff... the problem was though that his shoe size is getting harder and harder to find slip-ons and velcro, hes getting to the sizes where they are all tie... means hes old enough to learn.

[del]

Angela I teach grade 2 and you would not believe the kids who can't tie their shoelaces. Some will get another child to help them, but others will just tie knots in them or wrap them around some how. In a few minutes they are walking around dragging their strings behind them.  I have found that some round laces are really hard for kids to tie.  Even if they tie them properly they just won't stay tied very frustrating for them.  You wouldn't believe the kids who always put their shoes on the wrong feet too. I can remember having to put my shoes side by side to try to figure out what foot they went on!!  Still have to look at my skidoo boots!! 

[angela515]

Speaking of putting shoes on the wrong feet... yep, that's both my kids. I try to show them how to tell which foot goes in which shoe, they still end up putting them on the wrong feet if they are sitting on the wrong sides of each when they grab their shoes, 

[kitkatz]

I can tie my shoes ,but I have to double-knot them to get them to stay tied.  I was a lousy shoe tier in Kindergarten and did not get my gold star on the chart.  I hate shoe tieing and did not put my kids into tie shoes until they could tie their own shoes on their own. I went velcro or buckle as much as possible.  I slip my feet in and out of the tennis shoes I have with them still tied. A friend of mine taught my girls how to tie shoes using the bunny method with two loops. My parents taught me a crazy method to tie my shoes and I am still lousy at shoe tying.

Tell your child not to give up and tie it any way they can!

[angela515]

Yah, both my kids have velcro shoes right now. Once my son gets the shoe tieing down pat THEN I will by him tie shoes to wear. My daughter is 11 1/2 months younger than my son, but I bet you anything she learns how to do before him... she's just smarter.. Maybe thats not the right word... shes just more.... determined to keep at it until she learns something shes trying to learn.

[goofynina]

Angela, if your trying to teach your kids how to tie their shoes, wouldn't it be better that they have nice new shoes so that would give them an incentive to learn?   

[angela515]

Well, yeah..    I have let them pick out which tie shoes they want, and told them once they learn how we will go and buy them. I didn't buy them already due to if it takes them awhile to get it down right I don't want the shoes to be too small for them to wear when they can actually wear them... ya know?

[goofynina]

Angela, hows it going with the shoe tying?  Are they getting the hang of it?   

[okarol]

Here are five easy steps to help you learn to tie your shoes.  Each step includes a picture, so that you can see exactly how to tie your shoes (and more!) --> http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/index.htm