PL T2.11Putting On Shoes
The toddler sits on a low bench and pushes their foot into an opened shoe, pulls the back up over the heel, and closes a hook-and-loop strap.
Safety
- Check that shoes have no loose small parts that fit the small parts test cylinder (1.25 in. × 2.25 in.).
Presentation
- 1
Invite the child to sit on the bench with their shoes. Say: 'Let's put on your shoes to go outside.'
- 2
Open the strap all the way and pull the tongue forward so the opening is wide. Hold the shoe on the floor in front of the child's foot.
- 3
Say: 'Push your foot in.' Wait while the child pushes their toes in.
- 4
Hold the shoe still while the child pushes. Show them how to put one finger at the back of the shoe and pull it up over the heel. The heel going into the shoe is the point of interest.
- 5
Invite the child to press the strap closed.
- 6
Invite the child to stand and walk a few steps. Then do the other shoe the same way.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Open the strap and tongue themselves
- Put on both shoes with the adult only checking
- Match the left and right shoe using a sticker cut in half inside each
- Put on rain boots
Control of error
A shoe not pulled over the heel slips off when the child walks; a shoe on the wrong foot feels uncomfortable and the toes point outward.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Pushes their foot into an opened shoe and gets the heel in
- Closes the strap without help
- Puts on both shoes before going outside with little or no help
Guide note
A shoe on the wrong foot is not corrected every time; the child learns left and right over months, and walking a few steps will not harm them.