Teaching Your Child To Ride A Bike

When the time came to remove the training wheels and teach your child how to ride his own two-wheeler? It can never be easy, but once your child learns, is a skill, it will be all his life. This weekend we were at the beach with a group of friends and when it came time for the morning bike ride, one of the women, now in his mid-40, has admitted she 's has never learned to ride a bike. It was a shame, because she missed on a beautiful, healthy, fun activity in the morning.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

1. Do not push your child how to ride two-wheelers until he or she is ready, at about 5 or 6 years. Consider the coordination of the child and the desire to learn to drive. Stick with coaster brakes until your child is older and more experienced.

2. Take your child with you when you shop for your motorcycle, so he or she can try. The value of a good size bike far exceeds the value of surprising your child with a new bike.

3. Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child is becoming. Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.

4. How to test any model of bike for proper fit:

a. Sitting on the seat with hands on the handlebar, your child must be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground.
b. Straddling the center bar, your child must be able to stand with both feet flat on the floor with about a 1 "clearance between crotch and the bar.
C. When you buy a bike with hand brakes for an older child, make sure the child can comfortably grasp the brakes and apply sufficient pressure to stop the bike.

5. A helmet should be standard equipment. Whenever buying a bike, make sure you have a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)-approved helmet for your child.

The process of teaching your child to ride his first two-wheeler will probably not be easy. There will be some frustration on both your parts and maybe a few tears (on both sides yours), but persevere! It will be worth it when he can ride with his friends, year after year.

Visit my blog www.preschoolteach.blogspot.com

Write me terribakman@gmail.com