Does anyone have any ideas how to get my 4-year-old son to want to tie his shoes?

Terra - posted on 03/06/2012

I would say 4 is a little young but every child is so different. I was tying my shoes at 4 but I was also had the finger ability to do it. Some kids simply don't, that takes awhile to develope. Thank goodness for Velcro and slip on.

Melissa - posted on 01/26/2009

I think 4 is a little young to expect shoe tying. My son didn't start WANTING to tie them himself until he was around 6. That was when the "I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF" phase started! One thing I always did though, was I never bought slip-on or velcro sneakers until he started gym class in school and needed to quickly change shoes for class unassisted. He keeps a pair of slip-on in his locker for gym, but his sneakers at home have always had laces. Don't worry, once he starts wanting to EVERYTHING for himself, shoe tying will be included in that!!

Thao - posted on 01/26/2009

I wish my 7 year old would wear velcros. It's not "cool" enough for him. So i had to teach him by 4. 2 bunny ears, cross, under and pull. Learning to tie your shoes is way over-rated. The kid takes way too long to tie and i have little to no patience for it. You don't have to worry about them tripping with velcro or slip on shoes! LOL

Sarah - posted on 01/26/2009

I'm with the VELCRO fans!!  Easier and faster!! Plus, he'll learn eventually as he gets older and it's easier for him to manipulate the laces.  Until then, work on bigger stuff and let the small stuff slide (easy for me to say!)

Jane - posted on 01/26/2009

My son is nearly 10 and can't tie his shoes!! Like Candie mentioned, he does have some problems with fine motor skills (Developmental Co-ordination Disorder) and so anything like that is a problem for him, but I just get velcro shoes - much easier!! Most of his peers didn't learn to tie their shoes until age 6 or 7 so 4 may still be a little young.

One thing that worked for a friend was she taught her son to tie HER laces (on her running shoes). She would pretend she needed help from her son to hold a "loop" and then for him to wrap the other lace round, etc. gradually adding more of the movements. She said it was easier because the laces on her shoes were thicker and longer than on kids shoes so they were easier for her son to hold. As soon as he got the hang of hers, it was an easy transition for him to do his own.

Lisa - posted on 01/26/2009

Hi. I have four as well. VELCRO!!! Save yourself the worry.... he is learning sooo many new things everyday thatthe big shoe tie is not on the radar. If he still cannot tie his shoes by 1st grade semi successfully, you and he will want to practice together to "catch up to his friends".



They are all so different...love every minute of each one of their differences and try not to worry until there is something to worry about!

Candie - posted on 01/26/2009

My boy (granted, some fine motor issues) didn't master it until about Grade 3. Thank Goodness for Velcro.

Jessie - posted on 01/25/2009

If you feel like it is ready for your child to start tieing his shoes, make it fun! Make up a rhyme that goes along with tieing his shoes, or make it into a game, and let him help you make up this game or rhyme, its always more interesting when theres  a game involved instead of just plain ol learing how to tie ur shoes. Im sure everyeone knows the bunny ears song that goes with ties ur shoes. Good Luck!

Devy - posted on 01/24/2009

I agree with the others, it's still too early... he'll learn soon enough. My son too still prefers us to do them for him when he's getting ready for school since he' still slow at tying them.

Christie - posted on 01/24/2009

All four of mine tied their own shoes early, but I can't take credit for it. It was like a competition with their friends and each other. All kids want to do what their friends or older siblings are doing. Thats just the way they are. If he is in school, try finding a friend that does it and get on the subject. My kids didn't want me to help. It was like they learned in secret and then came and showed me so I would be impressed. He is still young, so I wouldn't worry. Enjoy being needed, that will change soon enough. When you have more than one child they learn from each other. If he is an only child, then he will most likely pick up on it from a friend, in due time. If you still are ready for him to learn, make a colorful cardboard shoe and lace it, and then let him play with it. Try  not to push the issue or you may make him worry and get frustrated. Be patient, he'll learn when he is ready.

Jennifer - posted on 01/24/2009

I think it is still too early for him.  My first grader is finally feeling confident with tying his shoes.  He learned the skills to do it in kindergarten (with my help).  I takes a lot of patience and repetition.  My son still likes for me to tie them sometimes to make them tight enough.  Good luck and it is a skill that just takes time.