Leftie, Rightie, whatever... IT DOESN'T MATTER! Our job is to help the Cubs learn to tie the knot successfully, however they accomplish it!
For example, I'd hope that everyone knows that there's at least two very different ways to make a reef knot (the shoelace knot) - one is by making one loop and wrapping the other lace around it, and another is by making two loops and tying one over the other, a lot like the "top knot." Different kids will have better success one way or the other, but both methods will succeed in tying the SAME knot!
Most kids do pretty well tying a bowline with the "rabbit and hole" story. A clove hitch can use the "two loops" method, but that only works if you can put it over the end of a pole; otherwise you'll need to learn the "two wraps" method. SO WHAT?!!
Personally, it's much more difficult for me to tie shoes with the "two loops" method because I learned the other way. But when I'm trying to help a child learn a new skill and I see they're having trouble, I always try to show them another way to do the same task, hoping the change will make it easier for them to learn the skill.
Of course, some things are a "MUST" - like "only ONE person in the 'axe yard' when using an axe! Everyone else OUT!" (Yes, that's Boy Scouts, not Cubs, but it's meant as an example of an "absolute must.")
Red rope, Blue Rope; Right Hand, Left Hand; One Loop, Two Loops, WHATEVER! Just remember we're trying to help our kids learn to do something for themselves. As long as they accomplish the task correctly and safely, we did our job.
There's lots of different ways to get to the same end. Don't get hung up on "the proper way" to tie a knot; whether it's "right over left, then left over right" or "left over right, then right over left" it still comes out a square knot. As long as it's not a "granny knot" or a "thief's knot" then the Cub did the "proper" thing! GREAT for them! And good for us, for helping them learn to tie it.
Remember why we're here. If the kids don't learn because of our (leaders') inflexibility, it's the kids who lose out. Success is fun; failure is not. If it's not fun, the Cubs won't come back! But when they learn something in Cub Scouts, and then go to school and tell their friends how much fun they had, you start seeing new faces in the pack and dens. Everyone Wins!
If it's fun, they will come! If it's not, then WHY are we here?
Howard Dingman
CM, Pack 212
ASM, Troop 212
http://www.troop212.com
