Task Analysis

For the task analysis project, I have several skills that still need to be taught to my pre-kindergarteners regarding their kindergarten readiness skills.  I am choosing a step-by-step guide to tying shoes.  This is one of the skills that several are "ready" according to their chronological age and their self-help domain ability (per LAP-3, Learning Accomplishment 3 testing results) to tackle, so I am going to use the task analysis to instruct children how to tie shoes.

I found a step my step guide online at http://behavioradvisor.ipower.com, as follows:
Tying shoes
Pinch the laces.
Pull the laces.
Hang the ends of the laces from each side of the shoe.
Pick up the laces in each hand.
Lift the laces above the shoe.
Cross the right lace over the left one to form a tepee.
Bring the left lace toward the student.
Pull the left lace through the tepee.
Pull the laces away from one another.
Bend the left lace to form a loop.
Pinch the right lace over the fingers and around the loop.
Push the right lace through the hole.
Pull the loops away from one another.

Of course, my pre-k classroom students are pre-readers, so I will make corresponding pictures with a digital camera and place on poster board in sequential order.  A task analysis is great for letting the children know exactly what is expected of them and the outcome of their efforts.  This is also a task that I can set up in the manipulatives area and have the children work on as they wish.  They are likely to be more successful if they are able to recall their steps by having a visual reminder, and also if they are able to take ownership of the task and work along at it at their own pace.  There is a cube at Smart Start I plan to borrow along with my task analysis that has laces on 4 sides so children can sit around it and work on tying by themselves.  Many children have velcro or slide on shoes these days, so the cube will make sure no one is left out of practicing this skill.

Cook, R., Klein, M., and Tessier, A. (2008). Adapting Early Childhood Curricula for Children with
     Special Needs. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.  Pearson Education.


McCulloch, C. (January 16, 2011).  Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com.