Empower Your Child’s Independence with Dressing Frame: Lacing

As parents, we often strive to help our children become independent individuals. One way to do this is by teaching them life skills that they can use daily. Dressing is one of the most important life skills that children need to learn. But how can we make this a fun and engaging activity for them? Enter the dressing frame: lacing. This activity has been known to not only help children with their dressing skills but also boost their confidence and independence. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using a dressing frame: lacing, and how it can empower your child’s independence.

Dressing Frame: Lacing

Suitable Age: 4 1/2+

Materials: 

• The lacing dressing frame

Direct Aim:

• To lace and unlace independently

Indirect Aim:

• Refining of the muscles in the hand
• Concentration
• Hand-eye coordination
• Independence
• Fine motor skills
• Order of sequence

Presentation/ Child instruction: 

1. Once you have both been seated, invite the child to untie the bow and knot from the top. After the child has done so, begin to pull the lace out of the holes one at a time.
2. Once you have completed two or three, give the child an opportunity to try. At the bottom of the frame, completely remove the lace. Next, indicate to the child how you will place the aglet through the holes at the bottom of the frame. Show him how to make the lace even in length on both sides. Do this by placing the index finger down firmly on the center of the lace, and using the other hand to even up the laces.
3. Gradually, will begin to put the laces back through the eyelets towards the top of the frame. Show the child the concept of creating a pattern using a crisscross method before placing the aglet into the eyelets. Allow the child to recreate the pattern throughout the remaining eyelets once you have completed two or three.
4. Once the frame is complete, invite the child to do it again independently.
5. If the child declines, then invite him to return the frame back to its original place.

Point of interest:

• The colorful fabric, the pattern created with the laces, and becoming independent

Control of Error: 

• Not lining up the same pattern
• Unable to pull/push the lace through the eyelets
• Uneven lace
• Forgetting the sequence

>> Read more: Empower Your Child’s Independence with Dressing Frame: Safety Pins