Hands on Hands

What you need

• their shoes

How to do it

1. Sit behind your toddler so you're both facing the same way.
2. Put their hands on the shoe and your hands over theirs.
3. Do the pull together, so their hands feel the whole movement.
4. Next time, let go just before the shoe comes off and let them finish it.

Why it matters

Feeling the movement in their own hands teaches it faster than watching does, and letting go a little earlier each time is how the help disappears without them noticing.

What they're learning

Feeling the movement

Hands guided through a job learn it in a way that watching alone doesn't manage.

Pull strength

They're doing some of the work from the first go, and more of it each time.

Doing it themselves

Your hands coming away sooner is the whole plan, and they'll barely notice it happening.

What to look for

Watch for their hands carrying on after yours have lifted off.

A tip

Sit behind rather than in front. Facing them means they'd have to mirror everything, which is much harder than it sounds.

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