Polishing Shoes
Materials:
Color Coded:
Apron
Underlay of newspaper/newsprint paper
Basket
Applicator brush
Shining brush
Buffer
Neutral shoe polish
Shoes (self or borrowed from someone in the room)
Purposes:
Visual Motor Coordination
Fine Motor Coordination
Development of a Sense of Order by Following a Sequence of Steps
Functional Independence
Age: 3 - 4
Preparation: The child will have had a language lesson on What is leather? What is cloth? What is suede? What is rubber? Etc.
Parallel Work: Shoelace frame, other polishing exercises.
Presentation:
Invite one child for a lesson on polishing shoes.
Show the child the materials, how to pick up and carry the basket, return it to the shelf and allow the child to bring it to a table.
Each will need an apron.
Sit to the right of the child.
Layout the paper in front of the child and set the basket at the top of the table.
Lay the materials out in the order of their use at the top of the paper from left to right: polish, applicator brush, shining brush, and the buffer.
Open the polish keeping the container grounded on the table.
Remove your shoe and place it sole down on the newspaper heel toward you.
Lightly dip the applicator brush into the polish and show the child how much is on the bristles.
Insert left hand, palm down, into the shoe.
Rub the polish in a slow circular motion over the top of the shoe.
Tip shoe to the left and rub in a circular motion on the right side of the shoe
Set the shoe on its sole and pull out the hand.
Insert the hand palm up and rotate to the right to polish the left side of the shoe.
Set the shoe on its sole.
Remove hand and replace it into the shoe palm down and polish the heel.
Rub excess polish on the paper.
Replace the polish applicator and take the shining brush in your hand.
With long vigorous strokes, brush the shoe in the same sequence as polish application.
Repeat with the buffing brush using short fast strokes.
Put your shoe on and replace it with your other shoe.
Invite the child.
Fade and observe.
When the child is done, put your shoe on and show the cleanup process.
Close the can of polish and place it in the basket on the left.
Take the polish brush, rub it on the newspaper, and place it in the basket.
Repeat for the shining brush and place buffer in the basket.
Fold the newspaper in thirds and take it to the trash.
Go wash hands, fold apron and replace the basket on the shelf.
Points of Interest:
Laying out of materials.
The small amount of polish on the brush.
The sequence and different movements .
Looking for leftover polish on the shoes (for the older child).
Following Exercises:
Cleaning different types of fabrics/shoes.
Show how to clean other leather items
Pedagogical Notes:
Wear leather shoes, if possible, for the day you present.
The child can choose who’s shoes they want to polish-consider a Grace and Courtesy lesson for asking to polish a friend’s shoes.
Do not have a designated shoe on the shelf.
Soak brushes in hot soapy water to melt off the excess polish.
Shoes with laces will need the laces removed before polishing.
