How to I get my 6 yr. old son to tie his shoes?

Question

HI, My son is 6 years old and he still can not tie his shoes. Any suggestions on how to get him to do this? He is going into 1st grade this year. He doesn't have patience for a long time, he gets upset very quickly if he can not get the hang of it. I have tried to get him a book that teaches him but that stillhasn't worked.

Answer 1

I have found with the younger people that I know that practice is the best way. Make a game out of it. I know you say he doesn't have much patience, but if you let him try it over and over again while you're with him, chances are he'll be more patient. Also, holding his hands and leading them through the right motions with him may help. That's how my parents taught me - once the motions are "programmed" they become second-nature.

Also, insist on his patience... you're his parent, and he's six... be stern with him and show him that you aren't going to budge on this - he must learn to tie them, and make sure he knows that.

Answer 2

There are two methods you can try: One is called "backward chaining" First, you demonstrate the steps in tying a shoe --several times. Then, you do all the steps except the last one --and have your child do the last step. Do this a few times, until he can do it easily. Next, you do all but the last two steps --and have him do the rest. And so on ------ The other method to try is to give him a shoe ( preferably a large one so that it is easier to do) and you use the other one. You demonstrate the first step and then have him try it. Then you go on to the next step -- and so on. Another thought ---- the conventional method of shoe tying can be harder for some kids to learn. I have taught some kids to tie using a method I have heard described as the "bunny ear" method. Basically, after tying a single knot (as usual), form a loop in each lace and then tie the loops into a knot. It looks just like the other bow when it is done. I taught that method to a 3 year old. and I also showed it to a friend who was a Special Ed teacher and spent a lot of time tying her students shoes. She was able to teach some of them using this method.

Answer 3

My daughter had problems with that.She would get really frustrated every time she messed up.I gave her one of my shoes and let her practice.She did bring the shoe back to me several times with almost impossible knots tied in them.I just untied the knot and give it back.She learned a poem to help her but I don't remember how it goes.When she gets out of school today I will add that and hopefully it will help.Just tell him to be patient it takes time to learn.He did not learn how to use the potty in a day either it all takes time.He will probably understand better than.

Answer 4

Have you tried teaching him with one bow or two?
My daughter learned with two and it only took her a couple of days. I also told her she couldn't play next door until she learned how. LOL It worked she learned really fast.
If you've tried with two bows then try with one.
Also just tell your son that he is to big for you to tie his shoes and that you aren't doing it anymore so he better learn how to tie shoes fast, because maybe he won't learn because he knows you will do it so why bother.

Answer 5

i find that odd.... one of the pre-requisites of starting kindergarten (when i started ) was knowing how to tie ones shoe... i suppose things have changed..

try a variety of things - from having him help you tie yours to giving him pieces of string and things that "need" tied together...

my daughter started "tying" my shoe laces at a very early age - would even get up in the middle of the night and "tie" my shoes... couldn't even begin to tell you how many times i was late for work because my laces were in such knots that they were impossible to un-tie!!

i wouldn't worry about it too much - the more emphasis you put on how important it is the more frustrated he will become.. be encouraging even if it isn't quite right...

I've never known anyone whose shoe tying skills caused them to achieve greatness... if you are afraid of ridicule in school - get him a pair of Velcro shoes....until he is comfortable with tying his own...

Answer 6

Draw a shoe shape out of some cardboard and put the laces in that. Show him the simplest form of shoe tying that you can think of. If he comes to you again and again for help, try not to be impatient with him. My son took ages to learn to do his laces. Partly laziness, partly difficulty.

Answer 7

Try teaching him with the shoes off first. Is your child left handed or right? If left, lefties see in mirror, so you'd have to sit across from them. We tried the whole tying bit on something that has big strings. Like our heating pad has big ties on them and they practiced with that and within no time they had it down, then you have them try it with their shoes. Good luck I know it's frustrating!!

Answer 8

With my kids,I played the "bunny games.First you to have to make a bunny ear,chase the bunny around the tree,hide the bunny in the hole,now it's time for the bunny to come out and play.I don't know if this makes sense to you,but my kids loved it

Answer 9

I didn't learn to tie my shoes until my first-grade teacher told me she wouldn't let me pass the first-grade 'till I learned. I learned that day.

Answer 10

I just did this with my 5 yr old last weekend. We just sat down and went over it several times. I calmed her down when she started to get frustrated and just talked to her. After about 30 minutes of doing "bunny ears" she had it just like that. Since your son is getting inpatient, just try to relate to his frustrations and tell him he is doing good and trying hard. Its a tough one - good luck!