Shoes Off at the Door

What you need

• their shoes
• a basket or mat by the door

How to do it

1. Pop out together for a minute, to the doorstep or the garden, then stop just inside the door as you come back in.
2. Sit down together in the same spot.
3. Undo the fastenings, let them pull the shoes off, and put them in the same basket.
4. Then carry on with whatever you came in for.

Why it matters

Coming in through the door happens several times a week, always the same way, so doing this every time you come in makes it the most repeatable slot in the day to practise something that only takes a minute.

What they're learning

Same spot every time

A fixed place and order means the whole thing gets easier without anyone trying harder.

Finishing the job

Shoes into the basket is a clear end, which is satisfying in a way that just taking them off isn't.

Pull strength

Repetition is what builds it, and coming home gives you plenty.

What to look for

Watch for them sitting down at the door without being asked.

A tip

Don't do this one when you're in a rush. A toddler who's being hurried will let you do it, which is fine, but it isn't practice.

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