Learning to tie shoes can be frustrating. There are a few ways you can ease your child’s way into this new step in independence. First, practice every day. Your child doesn’t need to spend 30 minutes a day tying his shoes. However, a solid five to ten minutes for a few days could make him a pro faster than you know it. Second, stop practicing when your child gets frustrated. Of course, there’s going to be some frustration when learning a new skill. But if your child is in tears, he may not be able to control his emotions or body well enough to make any improvement. Third, find fun ways to practice. Sitting down with an old shoe isn’t exactly fun. You could make a shoelace board with several different kinds of laces, for example. Practice with dolls or on mom or dad’s shoes. Try to make it fun and light-hearted to help build your child’s confidence.