Learning Life Through Unschooling

Nov. 29, 2006

Shoes

Matthew has been working on mastering the art of tying his shoes, off and on, for a while now. He has a few books with shoelaces on them and instructions. He has shoes with laces. And every once in a while, the notion strikes him to work on that skill. A few weeks ago, we were rushing out the door to the grocery store so that we'd make it back before lunch (I hate getting caught out at lunchtime with starving children) and naptime. In that moment, when I was getting Jade ready, issuing instructions on "no, Rose, it's REALLY cold outside and you need to wear long pants instead of your capris", he decided to wear his lace shoes. I could tell the determined look in his eye that he was going to "do it himself" and this could take a long time and ruin my plans for shopping. But alas, I took a deep breath and watched.

He talked himself through it like every other time. "Over, under. Bunny ear. Bunny ear. Loop again and pull through." This time though, something went incredibly right and he had DONE it...on the very first try. I'm not sure who was more surprised - him or me. He was so incredibly proud of himself!! He'd worked hard at it and had been frustrated many times before. I wonder if he would have been as proud of himself if he'd been forced to learn it in a pre-K class? I'll never know. What I *do* know is that I'm so glad that I chose to wait for him that day instead of rushing him through the door. Watching the lightbulb click is just an amazing sight and I'm so glad I didn't miss it.