What is a good way to teach kids how to tie their shoes?

Question

He's 5 years-old and I'm trying to teach him how to tie his shoes.

Answer 1

The old "Loop, Swoop and Pull" always does the trick dude! Good luck!

Answer 2

If hes not ready to learn just yet - and some kids are not at that age - get the kind of shoes that have the velcro fastening so he can simply press it down. Give him lots of praise for doing up his own shoes even though it is relatively simple for a child to grasp, then move on the laces afterwards. When learning to tie them do a simple, one two, three as you tie them for him and he will soon start to copy.

Answer 3

You know I didn't know how to tie my shoes until I was nine and I thought I was different...I do have an autistic related illness and I always thought that's why I couldn't tie them..I remember my dad telling me that if I didn't tie my shoes I would have to go to school bare footed..laugh..Singing a song sounds like a good suggestion..But I hope you're not the type of parent that ties your kids shoes hard out of anger or pull them by the strings from 2 feet like my brother did..

Answer 4

Take an old pair of shoes and practice. Also look for a book that has the tie, buckle, and other little people in training things to do. Keep track of the progress and reward as each new step is upgraded. Definately look for some visal effect to help out .

Answer 5

I don't know if this will be any help, but i also have a 5year old son. He has a thick fuzzy robe with a long belt on it. Every night, we practice tying his robe until he can do it himself because he knows that is the same way to tie his shoes. He gets frustrated, and his knots aren't perfect, but he wants to keep trying. He does it 2 or 3 times until it looks good, then does it again the next night. I asked him if he wanted to give his shoes a try yet, but he said, "maybe after 2 more tries, mom". It might help you. Good luck.

Answer 6

New!! Shoe Tying Song

Criss Cross Tying Shoes
(Tune: Splish Splash I was taking a Bath)

Criss Cross and go under the bridge
Then you got to pull it tight.
Make a loop but keep a long tail
That is how to do it right
Then you take the other string
and you wrap it 'round the loop
Pull it through the hole
Now you got the scoop
Criss Cross and go under the bridge (this is where you tie the loops together)
Now you made a Double Knot!

Answer 7

My dad used the "bunny ears" to teach me...instead of tying once, making a loop and then wraping around and pulling through....try this....make the initail "tie" and then make 2 loops (bunny ears), and then tie those together just like the initial tie...it comes out the same way, but it seems a little easier to teach it that way...

Answer 8

When I was five-years-old I received a construction shoes as a Christmas present. I consider it was a cool gift. I played played the laces. That's when I learn how to tie shoes.

Answer 9

My mom taught my sisters and me to tie our shoes by using the two-bow system. (I've been told that the military uses this method, but I can't substantiate that.) Fold TWO bows (instead of the one-bow-and-the-loop system), and then tie the two bows together, just as you would if they weren't bows. It's easier for kids to learn, I think, and allegedly shoes stay tighter longer. I'm the youngest of three, we're all in our 40s, and we all STILL tie our shoes this way! And I still maintain it's the easier way for kids to learn, and it's the best way to tie your shoes because the bows are of equal length, which means they stay tied better and longer.

Answer 10

Buy him/her a pair of velcro sneaks.Most kids are impatient about learning so young and would rather do something else.Don't belive me? Buy them a pair of sneaks with laces,then a pair of velcros.Then put both in front of them and ask which they prefer after they tried'em.By the time they get a little older they will easilly have the patience to learn the laces.Don't rush them into it,it will only make them want to do it even less.I finally asked the wrong person to tie my shoes at nine years old one day and was humilited and insulted in front of the entire class.It was my 3rd grade teacher.Thats when I learned.

Answer 11

There are a couple of ways to visibly do this. One: sit the child on your lap and show him from that point of view, talking him thru each step, or two: be the "mirror" for showing him to to tie the shoes, stand opposite of him, and have him "mirror" what you do, step by step, with verbal directions along the way as well. "Make a loop, bring the string around and up thru the loop, " etc. It shouldn't take long for the child to learn. Take care.