PL 4.04Putting On and Taking Off Shoes
The child sits down, matches shoes to feet, puts them on, fastens them, and stores them.
Presentation
- 1
Invite the child to sit on the bench next to you with shoes on the floor.
- 2
Place the shoes side by side, toes pointing away. Show how the inner edges curve toward each other; this is how you know which is left and which is right (point of interest).
- 3
Pick up one shoe. Open the fastening fully.
- 4
Put your toes into the shoe, then pull the back of the shoe up over your heel with one finger.
- 5
Close the fastening. Stand up and walk a few steps to check.
- 6
Sit again, open the fastening, and take the shoe off by holding the heel.
- 7
Place the shoes side by side in the cubby.
- 8
Invite the child to try.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Change into indoor shoes on arrival without help
- Put on rain boots
- Tie shoelaces (after the bow-tying frame)
Control of error
A shoe on the wrong foot feels uncomfortable and the toes point outward.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Puts shoes on the correct feet without help
- Fastens Velcro or buckle shoes
- Stores shoes side by side in the cubby
Guide note
A small sticker cut in half and placed inside both shoes (each half on the inner side) helps a child match left and right.