Mum goes viral for devising the EASIEST way to teach kids to tie their shoelaces
It’s back-to-school time, so any way to make the morning rush less stressful is cool with us.
And with that in mind, one mum thinks she has hit on the “easiest way to tie shoes in the world” – and she wants to share her epiphany with other parents.
Mum Kirsten Johnson, who blogs at Unstoppable Mother posted the tutorial on Facebook and it has been viewed millions of times.
Kirsten’s son Rylan was frustrated with the bunny ears and loops, prompting her to devise another way to get the job done.
In the video Rylan demonstrates the technique for the second time ever – and nails it – no doubt so Kirsten could prove just how easy it is.
“Thank you so much… my 9 year old autistic Grandson Michael can tie his shoes now,” said one happy commenter. “We have been trying for 3 years. Took less than 5 minutes.”
While another added, “Thank you so much!!! We have struggled teaching my 8 yr. old how to tie shoes for several years now, and many different ways. I did this way with him & he got it on the first try & has done it every day since!! Thank you.”
However, despite the obvious ease of Kirsten’s technique, it has had its fair share of detractors who say that deviating from the traditional technique “dumbs down” kids.
“Or we can just teach kids to learn to tie their shoes the way we were taught,” said one critic. “Why are we dumbing down things for kids? It will only equal the dumbing down of society!”
In response, Kristen addressed the criticism, giving her reasons for devising the technique.
“It's so interesting that people can be so judgmental,” she wrote, “We need to live in a world with inclusion and finding the best in everyone. The video I made with my son tying shoes was simply made for two reasons. 1. To help with fine motor skill delays. 2. As a stepping stone. Once confidence is built, the walls came down, his brain was accepting to learning another way, and he learned the traditional way in UNDER 5 min with zero tears.
“His brain couldn't grasp the traditional method right away. So we found another way that worked. Thanks to the fans that stuck up for all the kids that might need something non-traditional.”
Well we think there’s always room for another way to do something. Sticking too rigidly to the rules inhibits creativity and new solutions. Good on this mum for contributing this!