You deserve
a break from my “back to school” blogs so today and tomorrow I will try to
answer several requests from teachers who have attended recent workshops. First, a teacher asked me to create a
song to help children learn to tie their shoes. Second, is an explanation of the importance of
crossing the midline. And,
tomorrow you’ll find an explanation of what children learn from doing finger
plays.
TYING SHOES
(Tune: “This Old Man”)
Let’s get
ready to tie your shoes.
Over and
under, now what to do? (Pull strings tight.)
Make a loop
simple as can be. (Make a loop with right string.)
The other
string is a rabbit you see. (Hold up left string.)
The rabbit
goes around
And into the
hole. (Take left string around loop and stick in the hole.)
Pull the
loops tight and there is your bow! (Take both loops and pull.)
That’s an
important thing to know. (Hold up
index finger and point.)
Tie your
shoes and you’re ready to go!
(Slap hands together.)
Hint! I gave my own children a large teddy
bear and an apron with big strings.
It was easier for them to see the process and succeed on something large
before trying to tie with skinny shoestrings.
Here’s a
song for a different way to tie shoes.
TYING SHOES VERSION 2
(Tune: “Ball in the Jack”)
Take the 2
strings
(Make loops with each string.)
Make two
bunny ears.
Over and
under
And a knot
will appear.
(Tie loops in a knot.)
Pull the
ears nice and tight.
You’ve tied
your shoes and that’s alright.
Now you can
tie your shoes and mine.
Knowing how
to tie shoes is so fine.
Put your
right foot out and your left foot, too.
You’ve tied
your shoes - good for you!
SHOE SHERIFF CLUB (Karen Hansen & Karen
Aikin)
This is a
repeat of an idea a teacher shared last fall. You’ll love it!
When children learn to tie their shoes they get to sign their name on a
poster that says “Shoe Sheriff Club.”
Each day a child on the poster gets to wear a badge and be Shoe Sheriff
for the day. If someone’s shoes
come untied, they have to go to the Sheriff instead of bothering the teacher.
*Here’s
another repeat idea from Ashley Swedell.
She puts shoes on table legs and if children finish their work early
they can practice their tying.
BRAIN HUG
Draw a line vertically down the middle of your
body. That’s called the
midline. Every time you cross over
that line, you are helping connect the hemispheres in your brain. Teaching children how to give
themselves a brain hug will also center them and help them gain self-control.
Thumbs up. (Stick
up your thumbs in front of you.)
Thumbs down. (Point
thumbs down.)
Cross your arms. (Cross
fists with thumbs pointing down.)
Clasp your fingers. (Keeping
wrists crossed hold hands.)
Bring your hands in. (Bring
clasped hands down and in toward chest.)
Give yourself a hug. (Squeeze
arms.)
Thumbs up. (Stick
up your thumbs in front of you.)
Thumbs down. (Point
thumbs down.)
Cross your arms. (Cross
fists with thumbs pointing down.)
Clasp your fingers. (Keeping
wrists crossed hold hands.)
Bring your hands in. (Bring
clasped hands down and in toward chest.)
Give yourself a hug. (Squeeze
arms.)