One of the key milestones I often encounter while working with kids is teaching them how to tie their shoes. Watching them master this skill is incredibly rewarding, and I know it can be a proud moment for parents too. Here at Goally, we understand the challenges parents might face in making this process engaging yet simple for their children. To help, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to assist you in teaching this essential life skill. Additionally, we’ve included our Goal Mine Class on YouTube, designed to introduce kids to shoe tying in an enjoyable and structured manner.
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: The Starting Line | Cross one shoelace over the other, push one under and through, then pull tight to form a basic knot. |
| Step 2: The Bunny Circle | Take one lace and fold it back onto itself to make a loop, or “bunny ears”. The loop should be held at the base. |
| Step 3: The Twin Bunny | Repeat step 2 with the other shoelace so that your child holds two “bunny ears”, each from one lace. |
| Step 4: The Bunny Hop Knot | Cross one “bunny ear” over the other, push it under and through the same way as the knot in step 1. Pull tight to secure the “bunny ears” knot. |
| Step 5: The Shoelace Journey Achievement | Congratulate your child on mastering the art of tying shoes and motivate them for further practice. |
Table of Contents
Step 1: The Starting Line
In this initial step, show your kids how to cross one shoelace over the other. Begin by taking the ends of both laces, then crossover one lace over the other. To clarify, the lace that crosses over is pushed under the other lace, then pulled through and up to form the basic knot.
Step 2: The Bunny Circle
Once the knot is secured, teach your child to make the “bunny ear.” For instance, take one lace and fold it back onto itself to make a loop. Subsequently, hold the loop or “bunny ear” by the base with one hand. The lace should form a circle with a short and long end. Most importantly, the loop should be a manageable size.
Read more: Teach Your Kid How to Put On Shoes
Step 3: The Twin Bunny
Meanwhile, duplicate the same step with the other lace. Now, your kid should have two “bunny ears.” In other words, there should be two loops, one from each lace, that your child can easily grasp. Next, encourage your child to cross one “bunny ear” over the other, forming an X shape. This will prepare them to create the knotted center of the bow. After crossing the ears, instruct your child to pull the top loop under the bottom one and through the hole that forms. Finally, have them pull both loops tightly, adjusting as needed for a secure fit. Your child’s shoes should now be neatly tied with a perfect bow.
Step 4: The Bunny Hop Knot
Above all, the hopping twist is crucial. Guide your toddler to cross one “bunny ear” over the other, push it under, and through the hole that forms just as in the beginning knot. Remember to hold on to the “bunny ears” during this process to prevent them from slipping. After that, pull both ends of the “bunny ears” tightly to secure the knot.
Step 5: The Shoelace Journey Achievement
Likewise, recall how rewarding it felt when you learned how to tie your shoes. It is indeed a moment worth cherishing. To sum up, it’s all about patience, fun, and practice. Consider making practice a daily routine. And let’s not forget the motivating rewards for a job well done!
Goally | 100+ Streaming Video Classes
Does your child need some extra guidance on building essential life skills? Goally’s skill building tablet for kids includes a TV app that has the most robust video library of skills training videos for kids. Ranging from content like “How to Brush Your Teeth” to “How to Make Friends at School,” we have dozens of interactive video lessons for kids with thinking and learning differences.
HERE’s a video explaining how to works.
Remember, practice makes permanent, and there are loads of shoe-tying adventures for your kids to embark on. Certainly, they can experiment and learn other common methods like the “Loop, Swoop, and Pull” or the “Ian Knot.” In short, they can have fun while learning this skill, turning it into an unforgettable journey. Want more enriching learning experiences for your kids like these? Check out Goally’s dedicated Tablet for countless more lessons on everyday skills for kids. It’s a treasure trove of fun learning resources, including the full lesson on how to tie your shoes.
FAQ’s About How to Tie Your Shoes
How can Goally help kids learn how to tie their shoes? Goally offers an interactive "how to tie your shoes" video class, simplifying the process into bite-sized, easy-to-follow steps. Is "how to tie your shoes" one of Goally’s Goal Mine Classes? Absolutely! How to tie your shoes is one of the many life skills taught functionality through Goal Mine Classes on the Goally tablet. How can learning "how to tie your shoes" benefit child development? Mastering the skill of tying shoes can boost a child's fine motor skills and enhance their independent capabilities. At what age should kids typically learn how to tie their shoes? Most children have the motor skills to learn shoe-tying around the ages of 4 to 6, but age can vary depending upon individual development. Are there various methods to teach a child how to tie their shoes? Yes, some common methods are "Loop, Swoop and Pull" and "Bunny Ears" among others. The key is to find the method that works best for your child.
This post was originally published on 10/05/2023. It was updated on 07/03/2024.
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