Inspired by Hapalab
Age: From 3 years old
Activity Duration: 10-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To teach the child to be independent
Materials:
1. 1 pair of shoes unlaced
2. 1 pair of shoe laces
3. 1 tray
Directions:
1. Place both shoes on a tray on the child's workstation.
2. Take one shoe up and show your child how to thread the shoelace through the eyelet with one of the shoes.
3. Let your child try to do to thread the shoe lace through the eyelet with the other shoes. Guide him which eyelet to thread the shoe lace, if your child is younger than 3 years old.
Video Demonstration:
Here is a video demonstration by Hapalab:
Warning:
Supervise closely with shoe lace. Remove and store away immediately after activity.
Additional Information:
It is really no need to buy expensive Montessori dressing frames, just use any old or existing shoes with laces. This is a pair of old children's shoes from Gap, which I bought from New York 5 years ago for my nephew. But it wasn't so good a pair of shoes for children, as it was too troublesome to put them on. I didn't know better how to choose good shoes for children at that time, since I didn't have my children of my own. This pair of shoes was recycled back to me, when J was born. However, it is a truly perfect pair of shoes for Montessori lesson!!! Bright contrasting colours, not too big and not too small.
J (2Y4M22D) tried it today 27 July 2012. I guided him which eyelet to thread through. He loves to pull the shoe-laces out of the eyelet. His attention span was very short though, and got bored of it in a few minutes. His attention span is still something that I am trying to work on and praying over. I am wondering whether I am expecting too much. What about your toddler of 2.5 years old? Are they good in paying attention?
References:
http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/04/old-shoe.html
