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From: ktw@whuxi.UUCP (WOLMAN)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: More thoughts on Velcro for kids's shoes
Message-ID: <179@whuxi.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Dec-84 16:07:18 EST
Article-I.D.: whuxi.179
Posted: Mon Dec 10 16:07:18 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Dec-84 04:10:38 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Whippany, N.J.
Lines: 20

I am not sure that there can or should be a prima facie case
made against Velcro'd shoes as something to be avoided.  With some
children, they can be quite valuable.  If a kid has a low
frustration level and/or motor coordination problems, I see
very little gain in the endless repetition of a task that will
only increase that sense of frustration, even if the kid succeeds
on the umpteenth try.  Indeed, the ability to dress oneself may
contribute to a lessening of the frustration; and the confidence
and self-mastery symbolized in being able to get dressed without
aid may carry over into activities far more important than tying
a pair of shoes.  Besides, when the child is ready, he or she
may learn to tie the "classic" shoe.  These things have a strange
way of working themselves out if parents don't make themselves and
their kids "schedule demons" in the process.  By the way: I gather
the slide rule has gone the way of the abacus (if not farther!)
among engineers.  Is anyone less of an engineer for trusting 
his/her handy Hewlett-Packard instead of a bamboo Keuffel & Esser?

Ken Wolman
whuxi!ktw