“I can help with the snack,” said Josh. He pulled carrots and dip from the refrigerator.

“Great,” Mom said. “Let me get a plate.”

Josh ran ahead of her. “I can do that too.”

Josh ate his carrots and dip. He drank his milk.

​

Then he took his dishes to the sink all by himself.

By Nino JHS]

“Would you like to play in the backyard?” Mom asked.

“Let me get my shoes,” Josh said.

Josh’s new shoes had laces. “I can tie them myself,” he said.

​

Josh pulled, tugged, and twisted the laces. They twisted into a knot. Josh frowned.

By Nino JHS]

“I have an idea,” said Mom. “Why don’t I show you on my own shoes?” She showed Josh how to cross his laces, make a knot, and make a loop.

Now came the tricky part.

Josh bit his lip. He found the hole under the loop. He slid the lace inside the hole. He pulled the two loops.

“I did it!”

​

“Would you like me to show you again for your other shoe?” Mom asked.

“No thanks,” Josh said. “I can do it myself.”

By Nino JHS]