On Our Way To Tying Our Shoes

Fine motor skills are improving as your child enters his fourth year.  He is able to manipulate small toys and may even show a preference for a tiny toy with small parts.  Now that he understands that small things can’t go into his mouth it’s safe to let him play with the small toys. My daughter always loved playing with tiny shiny rocks that we came across on a vacation in a mountain community.  She was able to fill her “treasure bag” with rocks as she found them.  I can’t even count how many times those rocks were in and out of her bag.  They were so small  and I don’t think she lost even one!  Those rocks became pretty patterns on the table and tiny sculptures in the sand.  Her tiny thumb and finger grasp picked up and moved each one with care.  They were definitely one of her most prized possessions at age four.  Manipulating the rocks and pulling the closure on her bag made her fine motor muscles stronger.  Her mind and her muscle had to work together to gain success.

When children begin to show interest in tying their shoes we have to keep in mind that their mind and muscles have to work together in ways that are a bit challenging.  They need the patience and willpower to focus on the task at hand and the muscle strength to pull the laces tight. Tying shoes is not easy as it seems!

If you start slow, you and your child can enjoy the process of shoe tying.  In fact, let’s not even focus on shoes yet.  Let’s think about lacing two holes and tying a knot foe now!  We’ll tackle one obstacle at a time. Has your child ever laced a card?  Now might be a good time to pull those cards back out if you have any at home.  If not, you can use a real shoe or punch holes in cardboard to practice lacing.  Teach your child how to take the lace (or yarn) and weave in and out of the hole, being sure to pull it tight each time. If he is able to lace successfully, then teach him how to make a knot by taking both ends of the laces, crossing them over to make a letter x, tuck one end in and pull tight.  You can make the activity fun and the process easier to remember by researching rhymes and verses online. 

Another great way to practice lacing and tying knots is to create a shoebox with bows.  Punch holes all over the shoebox for your child to lace the ribbons through and have him tie a knot on each one.  Before you know it you will have a pretty box to give as a gift!  These ideas are perfect ways for your child to master the skill of shoe tying; a skill he will utilize throughout his life.