While it's often easier, quicker, and even more skillfully performed when we do things for our children, it's not always best. After all, we're not always around to be at our children's service! Why not teach your children how to tie their own shoes as a lesson in self reliance?
Since the invention of Velcro, most children's shoes feature these easy closures. Still, there are benefits of teaching children how to tie their own shoes. On the physical side, it helps children work on their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. On the social side, it helps children employ self reliance and can lead to increased confidence in one's own abilities. Besides, it's still an important childhood milestone!
Here's a few tips to help children learn how to tie their shoes all by themselves:
(1) Different colored laces: You will likely find that it's easier to help your child learn how to tie his own shoes if the laces are not the same colors. Instead of saying "the right one" or "the one in that hand" you can say, "put the red one over the blue one." Different colored laces can make any shoe-tying technique easier.
(2) Bunny ears:
a. Tell your child, "let's make some bunny ears with your laces!"
b. Then, teach him how to make a tight knot that can become the top of the bunny's head. Take one lace in each hand and make an X. Then pull one lace through the bottom of the X (like a train going through a tunnel) and pull tight.
c. Tell your child, "Now let's give our bunny some ears." Loop the laces to make 2 ears.
d. Tell your child, let's make the ears nice and tight so they don't fall off the bunny's head!" With the 2 "ears" make an X shape, pass one "ear" under the X, again, just like a train going underneath a tunnel, and pull tight.
(3) Use a giant shoe cut-out: You can buy one or make one yourself. Cut out a big shoe-shape. Get your child involved by allowing him to decorate it with his favorite colored markers or stickers. Then string an extra long lace through the shoe cut-out (a shoe lace that's 2 different colors on each side can be helpful here
Dr. Robyn J.A.Silverman, known as "The Character Queen," is a success coach, child development specialist and parenting expert. Her easy-to-follow tips make her favorite among educators and parents. She's the creator of Powerful Words Character Development, a character education program used in after-school and day-care programs. For more information or to contact Dr. Robyn, visit her website at http://www.DrRobynSilverman.com or her blog at http://www.DrRobynsBlog.com
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