Learning How to Ride a Bike
Learning how to ride a bicycle is a great milestone for your child. If you are teaching him, it’s best to prepare in advance and set aside at least 45 minutes for the lesson. We’ve got the answers to any questions you have about teaching your child how to ride a bike for the first time!
Age and Development
Teaching your child how to ride a bike will take roughly 45 minutes, depending on his age and development. Has he developed coordinated yet? You don’t want to force him to perform, as this will lead to stressing him out. Typically, you’ll want to teach your child between ages four and six. This is when he should be ready, but it varies among children. If you wait too late, your child will become overly cautious and stressed.
How to Start
The first step is focusing on balance, not pedalling. In order to help him develop his coordination skills, you will need to remove the pedals — a teaching method called “gliding” — and lower his saddle, so he can push himself with his feet on the ground — but only slightly; if it’s too low he will rely too much on his feet. He will learn how it feels to balance the bike, giving him confidence and independence. Then, when he can safely balance while gliding, add the pedals back, move the seat up, add training wheels, and teach them to go! Make sure you’re right by their side through it all, in case they wobble or need a push.
Your Supervision
You want your child to feel confident and comfortable on the bike, but you’ll still need to be right beside them through it all. The best place for you to place your hands is gently under his torso or armpits. Do not hold onto the handlebars, as this will make it more difficult for your little bicyclist. With your hands on his sides, he will learn the motions of the bike and how to lean. Don’t leave him alone; if he falls and gets scared without you around, he will be fearful to ever ride again. Once he is happy and secure on his own, you can inch away and let him ride.
Where to Train
Start your little rider in small, quiet areas, such as a cul-de-sac, empty parking lot, or a park. Avoid hills or anything that will push too much speed. And don’t be fooled by grass; it appears to be soft and simple to ride on, but it’s the opposite and can make learning more difficult because he will have to push hard.
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