Pediatric Rehabilitation Assessment and Consultation Services (PRACS) 49th Street Community Health Centre Bay A, 4755 - 49th

Street Red Deer, AB, T4N 1T6 Phone: (403) 314-5240 Fax: (403) 314-5230

O.T. Notes
Tips and Strategies from your Occupational Therapist.

Volume 3, Issue 4

December, 2010

Shoe Tying
Shoe tying is a complex task that takes practice to master. It involves many developmental milestones.

How to make a referral to Occupational Therapy:

Teacher to complete
referral package

Tasks Methods

Forward Chainingbegin with the first step of the task. Then teach sequential steps until the student can perform all steps. This is a good method for students who have difficulty with sequencing and generalization skills. Backward chainingdemonstrate the entire task first. Repeat it, leaving out the last step for the student to complete. This method works well for students with low frustration tolerance and also gives the student early success.

Parent to complete
referral package and consent form

Two Common Shoe Tying Methods

Bunny Ears Make two loops (bunny ears), wrap one around the other and pull through to the back This knot is often easier to come undone so it may be helpful to teach the student a double knot. Standard Method Make one loop, wrap the other lace around and pull through.

School coordinator/
Director of Student Services to ensure all documentation is completed and signed

Completed referral
package to be sent to the PRACS Intake Resource Coordinator by mail or fax. *** Services are funded by Student Health Partnerships***

General Tips

When first learning to tie shoes, it is easier to practice at tabletop level rather than student practice with the toe of the shoe pointing away from him/her (as it would when on his/her foot). Try using two different colored laces to practice so the student can clearly see what the left and right side lace are doing you can easily sew half a black lace and half a white lace together (or color half of a white lace) and then lace them through the child's shoes. Round and oval laces are more difficult to tie. Begin practicing with flat laces. You can make a portable practice board by punching two holes through a piece of cardboard or oak tag and threading one end of the lace through each hole. It is often helpful to provide the student with verbal cues or a script to follow when tying shoes to assist their recall of the steps. Try providing the following cues: Criss-cross the laces Go under the bridge and pull Make the bunny ear Wrap the other lace around the bunny ear Push the lace through- here comes the other bunny ear ! Grab the bunny ears and pull For more photos and video demonstrations of various shoe-tying methods, check out http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/

Did You Know?

In-services can be requested and presented at your school! Our therapy team has developed presentations on a variety of topics including: Development of Printing Skills

Sensory Processing Skills Development of Fine Motor Skills

Fun at the Pool, its time to move (A Movement Break idea)

Try as a class, imitating various swimming styles: Butterfly - circle both arms forward Backstroke - both arms backward Breaststroke: arms to side like wings, move arms to cross in middle then out