Re: two teaching sticking points

Stephanie wrote:
> My son (y.75yo) has taken an interest in learning to tell time, and
> to tie his shoes. When I was a kid, my mom taught me to tie my shoes
> with a story... something like one rabbit crosses over the other
> rabbit. Or something. Anyone have a story? I am woefully uncreative.
> Also, the telling time thing is tough. Sometimes it's 6:05. Sometimes
> it's 5 past 6. And with hands, I am having a hard time breaking it
> down. Anyone have any thoughts on this.

(Our son's must be closer together in age than I thought!)

I'm ignoring the shoe lace issue until my son shows an interest. He wear
velcro runners and sandals most of the time and will probably wear
elastic-sided boots for school next year. I'm pretty sure my older children
were in grade 1 before they learned to tie laces successfully. One does it
the two rabbit ear way and the other crosses the lace over one rabbit ear. I
read someone's post about practicing with a rope around the child's body and
I keep meaning to get the long skipping rope out of the cubby house to see
if this idea catches my lad's imagination.

Telling the time *is* tough. Again, it was a very gradual process with my
older children and I don't remember there being a magic moment of
understanding. This time around we're up to getting a feeling for 30 minute
blocks of time and watching the big hand get closer to the half-hours in
five minute increments. I might see if I can find a cheap analog watch with
a large, clear face as a Christmas present this year but I doubt it will be
much help. I think they learn to tell time as a result of needing to use it
more in their own day-to-day lives.

One idea I've used is to clap sixty times with the movement of the second
hand as they watch the clock - it gives them a feel for how long a minute is
and they can see how long 5 minutes is more easily afterwards.

Now, do you have any advice on getting a four year old to do up his buttons?
Mine knows how to but he finds it such a total bore, he never does!

Tai


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