Montessori lacing activity is a sensory and pre-math activity in the Montessori curriculum. It also teaches young students how to develop concentration and hand-eye coordination skills.
I have seen children doing this activity gracefully because of their back-and-forth action of threading yarn, a shoelace, or string in and out in a lacing pattern.
What is more, they use cards in various geometric shapes that make it a sensorial and pre-math activity.
Needless to say, I have done this activity with my young students and with my son and daughter ( 7& 5)
Here is how Montessori lacing activity benefits young individuals:
Montessori Lacing Activities:
There are different types of lacing activities. Some activities are simple and some are complex.
As a responsible Montessori teacher I always first introduce simple and then complex activities to my students (& to my offspring).
I have designed a lacing activity in the following way:
| Category | Details |
| Material | Fun lacing materials. |
| Source of Images | Images of the sun, clouds, and moon can be searched on Google (e.g., “sun graphics,” “cloud graphics,” “moon graphics”). |
| Preparation Process | 1. Print the graphics onto paper. |
| 2. Laminate the printed sheets. | |
| 3. Punch holes into the laminated sheets for lacing. | |
| Optional Step | Glue the laminated sheets onto cardboard before cutting them out. |
Now, after introducing a simple lacing activity, let’s move on to the “Shoe Lacing Activity,” which is slightly more complex and requires consistent practice to help children master the skill.
| Category | Details |
| Activity | Shoe lacing practice for children as part of Montessori Practical Life exercises. |
| Purpose | Develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, patience, and concentration. |
| Materials Needed | A shoe lacing board, or an actual shoe with laces, and optional markers for guiding lace patterns. |
| Steps | 1. Demonstrate the basic method of threading laces through holes. 2. Show tying steps slowly. |
| Skills Developed | – Bilateral coordination – Sequencing – Following instructions – Problem-solving |
| Extensions | – Allow the child to explore independently after demonstration. – Practice tying different knots. |
Once you know how to design this activity, you can do it on your own. However, there is another Montessori lacing activity which is a little bit complex. It requires children’s continuous practice to master this activity. The name of this activity is “Tying Knot”.
Here I share its benefits, method, and other necessary details:
| Category | Details |
| Activity | Make your own knot-tying activity. |
| Materials Needed | Two lengths of cord in contrasting colors, a few pictures of knots printed out from a Google search, and a nice bowl. |
| Knots Pictured | – Overhand knot – Figure eight knot – Square knot |
| Additional Instructions | – The square knot is an easy one to get wrong, so have your child check this knot carefully compared to the photo you print out. – Remember: “right over left, left over right.” |
| Extensions | – Make name labels for the knots – language! – Take turns trying to tie the knots blindfolded once you think you have them down pretty well. |
Sumanta De is an educator. He has been teaching students for more than 16 years following the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. He has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
He is nurturing his children abiding by the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. His passion for Montessori methods goes beyond the classroom.
Hence, he shares his experiences and insights through a dedicated Montessori blog and a YouTube channel under the name “NewChild Montessori”. He aims to offer valuable guidance to both parents and educators.
Education: M.A. English, Masters in Child Psychology & Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori Teachers Training