Although at present the skill of tying shoelaces on shoes is not as necessary as before (due to the spread of zippers and Velcro), everyone should master this science. Not every parent knows how to teach a child to tie shoelaces, but this can be a very exciting activity.
At what age is it better to start learning a baby?
No need to wait for a clear and accurate task from a two-year-old child. Most often, children master this science by 4-6 years. By the way, girls usually learn to tie earlier than boys. How to teach a child to tie shoelaces? Be sure to remember that the beginning of work should be conducted from an early age. The development of fine motor skills is very important!
- Children up to a year old need to regularly massage their fingers, learn rhymes with the participation of pens (such as "Ladushki", "Magpie-Crow").
- From two years old, you can sort beads and buttons, sculpt from dough and plasticine, paint.
- From the age of three, a child can be offered simulators for tying shoelaces and button fastening.
The first way to tie
The main ways to tie shoelaces are to tie with one or two loops. The method using two loops is much easier for learning, but the node obtained with its help is not so durable. “Grandma’s knot” is done like this: two loops, obtained from the free ends of the lace, cross and drag the loop through the middle of the resulting “arch”.
How to tie a bow on shoelaces yourself? The child must constantly see the whole sequence of actions on the example of an adult. First, teach the baby to fold beautiful and even loops of shoelaces that look like the ears of a cheerful bunny. Then proceed to the training of crossing “ears” and dragging one of them through the “arch”. Interest the child by telling him an interesting tale.
Ways to tie shoelaces: durable knot
The single loop method is more difficult to learn, but reliable. To teach the kid this art, come up with a learning tale for him and repeat it each time with new attempts to master the method. How to tie shoelaces to the child in the second way? From the free end of one lace you need to make a neat loop. With the free end you need to circle the first loop and pull it out of the middle. Then the knot is gently tightened.
Instead of a fairy tale, you can use a special reading room. If the fantasy is tight, then just clearly and clearly comment on each of your actions.
Animated Learning Approach
Not sure how to tie your shoelaces? Engage your favorite activity for children - watching animated films. In the vastness of the network you can find a large number of educational cartoons on this topic. Use the computer to good use, because funny videos may interest your child and in an easy, playful way to begin his education. Naturally, after watching cartoons, the acquired knowledge must be consolidated in practical exercises with mom or dad.
Do not forget about the creative, gaming approach. Let your baby have as many didactic games as possible, allowing him to train fine motor skills of his hands.
By the way, lacing is easy to do on your own. Draw on the cardboard sneakers, paint with bright paint and pierce with an awl holes for the laces. A useful toy is ready!
Parent's personal example
How to teach a child to tie shoelaces? Many parents are faced with this issue. But not everyone knows how important their own example is. Every day you need to show your child how you lace up your own shoes. When the child has mastered the basics of skill, stand next to him and lace up each of your shoes. In this case, it is imperative to clearly pronounce each action. Do not forget that you should not stand opposite, but on the side of the child. Otherwise, the baby can easily confuse the right and left sides.
Useful Tips for Parents
- Start training with large subjects. It can even be not laces, but a belt from a dressing gown, for example. Having understood the principle of tying on a large object, the baby is more likely to deal with his shoelaces.
- Take your time and don't be nervous. Remember that a child cannot learn this right away. You will have to repeat the show a thousand times before the baby understands how to tie a bow with laces.
- If the baby doesn’t succeed, don’t be angry with him and all the more do not call or punish! This will only slow down the learning process even more. Be patient and you will be pleased with an excellent result.
- Do not forget about positive motivation and praise. This is an important point. True, there should be borders. If the baby has made a sloppy and crooked bow with laces, do not praise it unconditionally. Say that he is well done, but the next bow should be much more beautiful.
- Learning difficulties arise in families where the parent is right-handed and the baby is left-handed, or vice versa. In this case, confusion often arises. An excellent solution would be to invite a relative or family friend who can work with his left hand. Let him show the kid how to tie the shoelaces on his shoes.
Now you know how to teach your child to tie shoelaces. You should not rush into learning, but you cannot slow down the process. By the age of six, a child must master this skill by five. Remember that a six-year-old is a future first grader. At school, his classmates will tease him for his inability to tie their shoelaces.