Tying shoelaces is one of those childhood skills that looks much easier than it actually is. Your child has to remember several steps, coordinate both hands, control the laces, and keep track of the sequence at the same time.
Typical Age
Many children learn to tie shoelaces somewhere between ages 5 and 7. Learning later than some other self-care skills is completely normal.
Shoe tying involves remembering a sequence as much as it involves hand skill. Some children who struggle aren't lacking dexterity, they're losing track of the steps.
Ways to Teach It
● Break it into small steps, and practice one part before putting the whole sequence together
● Use a larger lace or shoe for practice, since bigger movements are easier for children to see and control
● Try a simplified method, such as the "bunny ears" two-loop technique, which many children find easier than the traditional single-loop method
● Practise on a shoe that's off the foot, placed on a table, so your child can concentrate on the hands without also having to bend down
If It's Still Tricky
● Use elastic laces or velcro shoes temporarily, so getting dressed does not become a daily battle while the skill develops
● Keep practice short and relaxed instead of trying to teach it during a rushed morning
If shoe tying remains very difficult well past age 7, particularly if your child also struggles with other fine motor or sequencing tasks, an occupational therapist can help identify where the difficulty is and build the skill gradually.
