Knot-So-Boring: Playful Activities & Quick Tips to Master Shoe Tying with Your Child!

by Anna DeHondt,OTR/L

Certified Trauma Professional

As the cold weather sets in and we tuck away our sandals for the season, parents have the opportunity to practice shoe tying with their children. Around the age of 5-7 years old many children begin to develop the skills and coordination necessary to complete shoe tying. Shoe tying is the compilation of multiple developmental skills including fine motor skills, visual motor skills, and bilateral coordination skills.

However, shoe tying can be tricky for kids. So keeping the process play-based and fun is important! As your child begins to practice, here are some fun activities to help work on the bilateral coordination skills necessary to knot those bunny ears!

Bilateral Coordination:

Bilateral coordination is the process of using both sides of the body at the same time to complete a task. This includes symmetrical movements (when both sides of the body are doing the same motion at the same time), reciprocal movements (when each side of the body alternates the motion), and asymmetrical movements (when the dominant side completes the motion as the non-dominant side assists). 

Try these activities to develop bilateral coordination skills!

• Lacing boards

• Cutting with scissors 

• Stringing beads 

• Clothing Fastener Busy Boards

• Zoom Ball

• Tie blankets

• Cross Crawls

• Right, Left, Center 

• Climbing on jungle gyms/ Monkey bars

• Tracing infinity loops 

• Catching a ball

• Hand clapping games

• Baking: stirring ingredients, cracking an egg, pouring items into a measuring cup

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Quick Tips for Shoe Tying

1. Use two different colored laces for the right and left side or put a piece of different colored tape on the right and left lace. This will help your child better distinguish between the two sides as they are tying.

2. Practice 1-2 steps of the shoe-tying process at a time. For example, focus on just completing the initial “X” and tying the first knot several times before moving on to making the loops. 

3. Try a combination of forward and backward chaining where your child does the first and last steps of the shoe-tying process. Forward chaining is the process of having your child complete the initial step of shoe tying and you assist to complete the remaining steps. Backward chaining is the process where you complete the initial steps of shoe tying and your child completes the final step.

   This will help establish confidence and a feeling of accomplishment for your child! 

4. Allow for extra time to complete shoe tying. Life happens! If you are in a rush to get out the door, save shoe tying for another time. Less stress means more success for everyone involved.

KTL’s occupational therapists diagnose delays and disorders in motor and sensory function and are available to do an assessment with your child. Contact us today!