At what age should a child be able to tie their own shoes?

[disney funseeker]

Dd 5 1/2 finally learned how to tie her laces. She must have been ready because it took her only 5 min. to get it right.

Since younger children are required to have velcro or slip on type runners for school these days, I wonder how old kids are now when they learn how to tie laces.

I thought dd should learn because she has a few pants with drawstrings that she needs to be able to tie and one of her boots is a lace up too. Now, we'll have more choices in running shoe purchases.

 

[powellrj]

It depends on the kid. I'm not sure my oldest can do it yet and he's 22, but his DSis learned before she started school!

 

[Towncrier]

DD used to tie the other kids' shoes in preschool. She caught on quickly. I can't recall when DS learned as he wore velcro tennis shoes for quite a long time.

 

[TeresaMc]

My niece has just learned at 5yo but she trys and then someone redoes it because she don't like it when they are tight enough.

 

[Michie]

It depends on the kid. I'm not sure my oldest can do it yet and he's 22, but his DSis learned before she started school!

I can't remember the last time I owned a pair of shoes that tied. Slip ons are just easier and faster when getting dressed and undressed.

 

[lulugirl]

My 6yr. old Dd can't tie her shoes yet, guess I should get going on that one!

 

[missypie]

DS was getting ready to start third grade and was still wearing velcro shoes. That was at the beginning of the Pokemon craze, so I told him I'd buy him Pokeomon cards if he learned to tie his shoes. So, he was 8, but he was pretty late doing stuff.

 

[paigevz]

After hearing the way one of the K teachers in my school talked to the kids when they wanted their shoes tied (and refused to do it), I was determined that my child would know by K. I taught him the spring before, and then spent the last few weeks of summer having him practice again since he'd been wearing sandals all summer. I knew that even if he didn't get that teacher, he'd still be around that teacher at times, and I wanted to protect him from getting into trouble for something that wasn't his fault..........actually, same reason I taught him to say "sir" and "ma'am" when answering yes and no questions before K...........helps to defuse an angry adult.

 

[disney funseeker]

I can't remember the last time I owned a pair of shoes that tied. Slip ons are just easier and faster when getting dressed and undressed.

Have to agree with you there. Actually, my lace up runners are permanently tied. Unless they undo themselves, I just slip my foot in or use a shoehorn.

 

[kimisabella]

My dd5 learned last year when she was in kindergarten

 

[MinnieM3]

DS6 doesn't tie his and we haven't taught him....... that 3rd kid just gets the short end of the stick, huh? We'll get around to it..........

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

DS6 doesn't tie his and we haven't taught him....... that 3rd kid just gets the short end of the stick, huh? We'll get around to it..........

Yes, I was the 3rd kid in my family.

I know that I learned when I was 6. DD is 4 1/2 and I haven't even thought about teaching her yet.

 

[robinb]

My 6yr. old Dd can't tie her shoes yet, guess I should get going on that one!

Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

 

[FreshTressa]

My 8 year old never has

I never got around to teaching him as he always wears slip on shoes.

 

[Daxx]

Kdg. teacher here and I am constantly tying shoes. Our principal has made it a rule (dating back to 1 AD, I swear!) that all students entering Kdg. must know how to tie their shoes. However, it appears that parents expect me to teach them how to do this b/c most students can't do it.

Please, parents ... work on those shoe tying skills!!!

If I had a nickel for every sneaker/shoe I've tied, I'd be a rich woman!!!! Hey -- maybe if I started charging a nickel for each time, parents would rally to teach their kids how to do this!!!

 

[tiff211]

dd5 learned at 4.

 

[MoniqueU]

My 3rd child 7 has just now started showing interest. I guess I better get cracking.

 

[JVL1018]

My daughter sort of knows how-she is almost 6. My 4 yr old DS does not.
There is no rule here that the kids have to wear slip on or velcro shoes, though.
I refused to buy velcro shoes after my kids were 2ish though-I hate the way they look. I tie them in a double knot and they never come undone.

Lands End has some great looking slip ons that I am getting for DS, though he does have new sneakers that tie.

 

[weaselboy]

goodvibes Hey -- maybe if I started charging a nickel for each time, parents would rally to teach their kids how to do this!!!

Don't tie them. Tell them to "ask a friend". aw:

 

[swea_pea1]

DD6 is just learning now. She's almost got it but can't get them tight enough for her tastes so I still re-do them.