With velcro so prevalent, I sometimes wonder if we really need to know how to lace. But then, this morning, as I was tying my shoes, the lace suddenly snapped. It doesn't happen often, but I suppose lacing is a handy skill.

Tying, like lacing is learned through practice, usually just a few times, once each day. With tying, though, I tell the child that s/he is really teaching her or his fingers to tie. Each bow helps their fingers learn another step of the procedure. I am just as excited as the child when those little fingers are able to tie a bow all by themselves.