Dressing Frames: Bows

Materials: The Bow frame: 12” x 12” (30 cm x 30 cm) with two flaps of fabric attached to the frame which fastens with 5 pairs of ribbons in two colors.  Each side has its own color of ribbon. 

Purposes:

• Functional Independence

• Visual Motor Coordination

• Fine Motor Control

• Manual Dexterity

• Development of a Sense of Order by Following a Sequence of Steps

Age: 3 ½ - 4 ½ 

Preparation: None

Vocabulary:

• Bow Ties: to untie and to tie, ribbons, bow, first knot

Presentation:

Untie the Bows

• Invite one child for the lesson on bows.

• Show the child the materials, how to pick up and carry the frame, return it to the shelf and allow the child to bring it to a table.

• Sit to the child’s right, with the red ribbon on the right.

• Starting at the top bow, grasp the end of each ribbon and pull outwards.

• Repeat down for all bows.

• Starting at the top, put the right index finger under the first knot and lift to loosen it.

• Use fingers to open the knot and lay the ribbons out to their sides.

• Repeat for the rest.

• Open and close the flaps.

Tie Bows

• Starting at the top, pick up one ribbon in each hand.

• Cross your arms, red over white.

• Repeat all the way down the frame.

• Starting at the top, with left fingers, lift the ribbons at the point where they cross.

• With the right fingers, push the white ribbon under and toward you.

• Pull the write ribbon through.

• Tighten the ribbons by pulling the ends outward.

• Repeat with the rest all the way down.

NOTE: for most children this is enough for the day! Invite them to untie and tie the first knots

• Starting at the top, place the right index finger on the knot and stick out your thumb

• Use your left hand to loop the red ribbon over the thumb, and then pinch at the base.

• Right-hand picks up white ribbon and wraps it around the red loop clockwise and lays it down.

• With the right index finger push the white ribbon against the thumb until it emerges through on the other side.

• Left-hand releases the red ribbon and takes the white ribbon coming through.

• Right-hand grasps the red ribbon.

• Pull.

• Repeat for the rest.

• Invite the child and encourage repetition.

• Stay close to guide if necessary and then fade and observe.

Points of Interest:

• Keeping the first knot grounded at the table.

• Using the extended thumb to measure the loop.

• The appearance of the white ribbon peeking through the space created by the thumb.

• Pulling the two loops simultaneously to form the bow.

Following Exercises: (Note)

• Encourage the child to practice on their own clothing, aprons or helping a friend with their shoes. 

Pedagogical Notes: