Learning how to ride a bike is a lifelong skill that we learnt at an early age. Many of us will still remember the feeling of accomplishment we felt when the training wheels came off. However, when it comes to teaching kids how to ride a bike, it is not something that can be achieved in the first try. There are a lot of challenges and emotions along the way from excitement to happiness, fear to almost giving up.
Firstly, do not start training your kids on the street. You want them and yourself to feel at ease when they sit on the bike and the streets are in no way the place for that. Instead look out for an empty parking lot or your nearby park.
Secondly, it is important that the size of the bike matches the size of your little ones. Find a cycle that your kids can easily stand over and reach the handles as well as the peddles without straining themselves. Riding a bike that is too large can be scary and riding a bike that is too small can be uncomfortable.
Make sure that you do not pressurize them to go too fast or to keep trying especially when they want to stop. It is important that they enjoy the process instead of getting agitated with the pressure. Let them go slow if they want to, let them stop if they want, let them take a break, let them take charge. Pressurizing them can turn them away from cycling and may instead refuse to learn this skill at all. Your focus should be on building their confidence and remember that riding the cycling should be fun for them.
Provide your kids with the right safety equipment. A helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and gloves are very important. Incase they have fall they will not get hurt too much. More importantly, this also keeps you at ease knowing that they are protected, especially when they want to ride by themselves i.e., without you holding on to them.
Remember that you need to reinforce success so that confidence can be built. Als, being patient is very important. Today your kid may not be using the pedals or doing it wrong, but with time they will get it. Both of you’ll take a break and then continue again after a snack. It is important to pay attention to the signals given by your children. Their body language may show that they are tired or irritated. Recognizing the signs is up to you. Also remember that children tend to learn differently. They may respond to particular methods better as compared to others. Focus on what they are responding to better.
Most importantly, keep it fun!
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