Exercise is important for a child’s general well-being and cycling is one of those fun ways to exercise. The recommended age to teach a child to ride a bike is from four to six years. Later years are said to be difficult as the child has become more cautious after the age of six years. Within this age, a child mostly learns through copying what people around them are doing or saying. It is rather helpful to cycle in their presence as they get a feel of what is supposed to be done while on the bike.
The majority of us are familiar with physical health benefits that come along with cycling, however, there is a myriad of benefits listed below:
- Helps in the development of cardiovascular muscles.
- Builds mental health and improves learning capabilities.
- Develops muscle mass in a child.
- It is a good stress reliever.
- Encourages socialization.
- It is a fun activity that builds the bond between parents and their children.
There are a few tips to follow if you are trying to get some insight on how to teach a child to ride a bike.
Location of teaching.
Since you are starting to develop confidence in the little one, location is important when it comes to cycling. Ensure that it is an open space where they can easily maneuver, it is tarmacked and is also flat. Avoid hilly areas as it will be difficult to push the bike while riding. Majority of parents choose areas with grass with the intention of providing soft landing whenever there is a fall however, it will be difficult to build speed. Avoid the street too since the child has not gained enough confidence to ride on the streets. Start small. Areas like the park, tarmac, parking lot et cetera are recommended.
Size of the bike.
The size of the bicycle matters as you teach how to ride a bike. The bicycle should be the right size. Not too big that the child strains to reach the handle bars and not too small that the feet will be dragging on the ground, just the right size.
Teaching technique.
In the past, training wheels were a popular way to teach but have been found to be inefficient and it takes a while for the child to have cycling confidence without the wheels. The best way to instill confidence and balance is to adjust the seat lower and remove the pedals such that the child’s feet are on the ground. This gives the child a sense of control and they learn faster on how to handle the bicycle on their own.
Supervision.
Once they are able to move the bicycle, feet on the ground, the next step would be adjusting the saddle to its rightful place and placing the pedals back. This is where most parents and trainers go wrong. Do not hold on to the handle bars of the bicycle or run along with it as your child cycles. It muddles the balance which is the most important thing a child should be learning by themselves. Instead, hold them under the armpits or on their torso from the back to provide the necessary support.
No pressure.
In as much as you’d want them to quickly learn, let them take their own time in perfecting their skills. What is required of the parent or trainer is the necessary support. Motivate the child and reward them for a job well done!
Make it fun.
Remember to have fun while at it. It can be a family affair where everyone gets to cycle making it even much more fun.
Teaching a child how to ride a bike can be challenging at times. A lot of emotion, blood, sweat and falls come from it, bruises too. However, this is a lifelong skill that the child can never forget and they get to enjoy the numerous other benefits of cycling while at it. With these tips, you are sure to get the best of both worlds.
