Tying shoes...already??

I'm afraid to start this, too, because I just don't know where to start. My son is just 4, but I think it's a requirement for Kindergarten! Well, either they have to tie their own shoes or wear velcro. I think we'll be going the velcro route...

I wished I could help, but I have no advice, I know schools like for them to be able to do it themselves, but I have never been able to teach my children to tie their shoes, how my older 4 can do it is beyond me! What I have done for my 6 year old is, I got those things for draw string bags, you know where the to cords go through the hole then you pinch and pull it closed, I put those on his shoes, so he can at least tighten them on his own, my older 4 have been trying to work with him, and he gets the idea he just gets it confused. Sorry can't be more help, I'll keep checking to see what ideas you get.

We use the "bunny ear" method (I learned it from Sesame Street when I was a little girl). You make one bunny ear, then two bunny ears, cross the bunny ears, put one in the hole and pull! Worked for me, worked for my oldest, my middle and I'm certain it will work for my youngest. The last tip I'll give is patience, patience, patience...my middle daughter was 4 and got it down the first time (she's gifted) but my oldest took a good while and would get very frustrated with herself (learning disability). I just sat back and let her go through it, emotions and all (good golly was it hard)...she learned.

You know I wish I could help with this one. I tried and tried with my daughter, she would get so frustrated, THEN one day my friend came over to drop off her son for a playdate, spent literally five minutes with my daughter and BOOM it was done!!! Guess my advice would be see if someone else can help teach your son, seems kids don't get so hard on themselves and actually listen, hee hee!!! I have to remember that come driving lesson time!! :)

Like other comments, it may take some time and it will definately take patience. When I was a kid, it took me FOREVER to learn to tie shoes because where I was living at the time, was so hot that it was either sandals or no shoes at all. My daughter who is 8, has been tying her shoes for a little while now but it took her a while because while she we would always be in a hurry when she was trying to get it done that it was easier for me to just do it for her. While it is not the way I tie my shoes, my daughter makes the bunny ears. I have tried another way that seems a little quicker but she does it "her way" and as long as it works, that's fine. I wouldn't push it too much because he will get the hang of it sooner or later. I actually know kids older than my daughter that don't know how to tie shoes yet. Give it time. Good luck!

Dear A.: I think it's wonderful that your little bundle of
joy is trying to tie his shoes. I work for IHC and so I can
relate with the study your Husband is doing to support His
family. When our children were a little younger my Mother-In-
Law whom I cherish so much and is 89 and lives with my Wife and I. The tieing of the shoes is like telling a story of a
little squirrel who wanted to find his way home to store a
nut for the winter. First. Have your little one make a cross
in the laces, and put one under the other and pull ( This is
sinching the laces) Second. With his/her right hand have them
make a little tree that the Squirrel lives in(This is the first loop) Remember to show Great PATIENCE with GREAT Praise
with each step. Third. While the tree is waving in the wind
the little Squirrel comes running home with a nut for winter
time. Fourth. The squirrel circles the tree, and runs in the
hole at the bottom. Fith. The Squirrel doesn't want anyone to
take his/her accorns so he closes the door by pulling on both
strings and now Mommy and Daddy you helped me tie my shoes.

Sincerely; C. R. - Sandy,Utah

I think shoe tying is becoming a lost art with all the velcro around these days...I agree with the other mom about using the "bunny ear" method. It seems to work best. I have taught a number of kids to tie shoes over the years (I worked in daycare forever). It can be frustrating for some kids, so be patient! Good luck. I am sure he will get it!