American Occupational Therapy Association conference Philly 2011

Posted on October 12, 2011 by CourtneyMaslow

American Occupational Therapy Association conference Philly 2011: Ah, where to begin. I guess the best way to start off is a big thank you to all the amazing OT’s and future OT’s that we met at the show. You sure kept me busy with shoe tying demonstrations. I also want to say that it means so much to me when I hear that Loopeez will make your job easier, or that you have heard about our product from other OT’s, or that you have been using Loopeez for a while now and you couldn’t teach shoe tying without it because it works so well.

We had so much fun connecting with everyone. I got to meet some of our catalog contacts in person which was really nice. I brought my daughter the second day so she got to see first hand how these shows go. She was pretty shocked to see how huge these shows are and was super surprised to see how many people were coming up to our booth to see how Loopeez works.  She happily went around to check out the other booths and even though she is only 11 she made some really great contacts and helped promote Loopeez. I owe her big time!

Another cool thing was the excitment over the new bi-color teaching shoelaces laces. I can’t believe how many OT’s tie two different color laces together or have the kids color a shoelace with a marker! I am happy to make life even easier for you!!

I have to laugh at the amount of times I was asked to demonstrate one handed shoe tying. When I developed Loopeez one handed tying never crossed my mind. It was at the AOTA conference in Houston when I was put on the spot with that one. It still blows my mind that a person can tie their shoes with Loopeez with one hand in under a minute.

What really sunk in from the past few days talking to everyone is how much Loopeez can help. I knew it could help any kid learning to tie shoes, but it can be life changing for someone who is a little more challenged. These men and women work with kids with autism, fine motor delays, adults and kids who only have use of one arm, stroke victims, cerebral palsy, and brain injuries.  Knowing a product I created will change lives is the most amazing feeling in the world.

I can’t wait for next years conference. See you on 2012!!!

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Visual Aids for Shoe Tying

Posted on October 10, 2011 by CourtneyMaslow

It is seemingly impossible to teach kids to tie shoes. I had the hardest time teaching my daughter because she couldn’t hold the “loops” in place and in turn couldn’t figure out how to complete the bow. I searched hi and low for visual aids for shoe tying but found nothing but a wooden shoe and boards.  While these are great, they didn’t teach the task on hand. Kids need visual aids for shoe tying, and in my opinion need to learn on their own shoe. Makes sense right?

Another way to give kids a visual on shoe tying is Bi Color shoelaces. This really helps with kids seeing left from right. I have found with Loopeez and the Bi Color laces kids really get to tying fast. And I mean fast. Once they “see” how to tie they tie. It’s that easy.

 

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Two colored shoelaces for learning to tie shoes

Posted on October 3, 2011 by CourtneyMaslow

Loopeez Bi-Colored shoelacesSo, like I said before we had our second Occupational Therapy trade show a few months ago. I am still in shock at the reaction from our new two colored shoelaces for learning to tie shoes. I mean jaw dropping reactions from these amazing men and women.  I can’t even count the “thank  you’s” and the “you just made my life sooooo much easier”.

So here’s the deal. A trick that  OT’s use is to have the kids color half of a shoelace. This is also a something that many parents and teachers have used for a long time. Want to know why? It works! Kids can tie so much faster when they can see the difference between the left and right lace.

Its amazing how two colored shoelaces can take the “task out of learning to tie shoes and make it something fun.

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Teach Kids to Tie Shoelaces

Posted on September 20, 2011 by CourtneyMaslow

Loopeez helps kids tie shoesWow. This is one of those seemingly impossible tasks that no one wants to do. How to teach kids to tie laces is so tricky these days, especially since kids are glued to video games and computer screens. Not that I’m complaining. Without I touches and Nintendo DS what would I do at a restaurant with my 10 and 11 year old?! Old fashioned conversation. Ha!

Back to the point. Shoe tying is something that we need to teach our kids, and in my opinion should be started around the age of five. Around that age kids are eager to learn, and are so proud when they accomplish something.  If you wait any longer to teach kids to tie laces it might be too late. They get comfortable in no tie shoes.

So, if you have kids under five they are OK to wear slip ones.  If your child is about to turn five or is five get too it. If you have older kids and they still can’t tie, get to it. Visit www.loopeez.com if you want to make your life easier with this incredibly annoying yet important life skill.

Posted in How To Tie Shoes | Leave a comment