Monday, May 14, 2012

Knots and Tying Shoelaces

 6:15 AM at my house, "Would you please go out to the shed and cut off some 2 1/2 foot lengths of rope for me to use this morning?"  "What diameter rope?"  "Oh, about 1/2" thick."  "How many pieces?"  "2--no make that 3."  "Okay." 
My DH (dear husband) doesn't even ask why anymore.
 This is rope my DH uses to make halters for the horses.  It's very soft to the touch and keeps its shape.  You have to burn the cut ends to keep it from unraveling but the ends were not scratchy.  It's great for students to use when they practice making half knots because you can see the curve of the circle and how one end slips inside the circle as you form the knot.
 Once the student masters the half knot with the halter rope, we progress to thinner green rope and then fun-color shoelaces.
 These two students with autism were able to take turns tying half knots and bows on each other.  That requires excellent modulation of the tactile system on the part of the student whose tender forearm is being touched by the rope or lace.
 Not too tight!
 Rather than remove his shoes, this elementary grade student practiced tying half knots and bows on my notebook.
Afterwards, I verified with the classroom teacher that the student ties his own shoelaces at school.  Truly independent!

No comments: