Teach Your Child To Ride A Bike This Summer

Mom teaching her son biking at park

Learning to ride a bike is a critical milestone for children. They can’t wait to learn so they can explore the neighborhood and go biking with friends. They feel a bit more independent after learning, which is an exciting time in their lives. Before they can gain that independence, you need to teach them the skill. Make the process easier with some tips for teaching your child to ride a bike.

Practice in a Secluded Area

Your child won’t have much control when first learning to ride a bike. Practicing on a road with traffic can be dangerous, so take your child to a parking lot or park. Then, your son or daughter can practice without cars getting in the way.

Forgo the Training Wheels

This might come as a surprise, but you should skip the training wheels when teaching your kid to ride a bike. Remove the pedals from your child’s bike and lower the seat so he or she can easily put both feet on the ground. Then, have your child use the bike like a scooter, pushing off the ground. The bike will glide with each push. Let your kiddo practice as long as it takes for him or her to maintain balance for several seconds. Then, it’ll be time to put the pedals back on and try riding for real.

Don’t Push the Bike

You also shouldn’t push the bike when your child is learning how to ride. Running alongside the bike while pushing it will make it hard for your child to balance. Instead, have your child pedal and gain momentum. Your child will be able to get up to speed quickly.

Let the Kid Set the Pace

It’s normal to get excited once your kid learns how to ride a bike. You might find yourself planning a family outing on bicycles, but don’t move too quickly. Let your son or daughter choose the pace for riding. He or she might need some extra time to feel comfortable, so continue using a parking lot or park for as long as needed. Your child will let you know when it’s time to ditch the secluded spaces and try something new.

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Make It Fun

Teaching your child how to ride a bike is a bonding experience. Make it fun by being encouraging and patient. It might take your kid a little while to grasp riding a bike, and your cheery attitude will keep him or her on track. A good attitude will also ensure that your kid looks back at the time fondly.

Now you’re ready to teach your child how to ride a bike. Load up the bike and find a secluded space to ride. Then, you can begin passing down your bike riding wisdom to the next generation.

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