Does cycling seem so easy? Surely it is not for those who do not yet know how to do it. So, if you've learned, take the opportunity to brush up your memory by teaching it to someone else. While it might seem complicated to you, teaching your child to ride a bike is not a difficult undertaking. You can follow two methods, in the first the child can have fun with a bicycle with wheels and then remove them at a later time. In the alternative method you can remove the pedals of the bike and have your child learn to find balance by balancing himself and placing his feet on the ground.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Practice with the Wheels
Step 1. Encourage your child to ride a bike
Let him know how funny he is, set a good example by riding your bike in front of him and showing him how that makes you feel good. But always wear a helmet, if you don't, he too will think it's unnecessary! Tell him how to move his feet on the pedals and encourage him not to put his feet on the ground.
Step 2. Have him wear a protective helmet
Buy a children's helmet and a pair of knee pads. Check that your child wears them every time he rides a bike. Learn the necessary safety rules immediately.
Step 3. Attach jockey wheels to the rear wheels
They will help your child practice safely.
Step 4. Show the child how to mount a bicycle, show him how to sit and maintain the correct position
Then help him get on the bike. Check that his height is in proportion to that of the bicycle, he must be able to rest his feet once sitting on the seat. For the first test ride, keep one hand on the seat behind him or on top of the bike to make him feel safe. Stay close to the baby, make him feel comfortable and let him have fun. After a few weeks, you may be trying to take a next step in your teaching.
Step 5. Hold the bike upright and let the child sit comfortably in the seat
Start removing your child's fears by pointing out that there is nothing scary about riding a two-wheeled bicycle.
Step 6. Have him rest his feet on the pedals and let him pedal slowly
Continue to hold it from behind. If you are afraid that it will fall and get scared, try its first steps in a softer surface, with a lawn.
Step 7. Push the bike gently, so that it gains some speed and is able to keep itself upright
But don't leave it!
Step 8. Ask the child if he is comfortable and afraid
Reassure him that he is doing very well. Tell him that you will not leave the bike while he is pedaling.
Step 9. Stop supporting the bike a little at a time, but walk close to it and stay next to the child
He has to feel your presence. Keep encouraging and supporting him, but don't try to correct him.
Step 10. If he falls, help him
Check that he is not hurt without scaring him. Help him get on the bike again to try again.
Step 11. Continue to always be close to the bike for the first few times
If the child has doubts or fears, he can ask for your help.
Step 12. Use the "towel method" to show your child how to balance on the bike
Wrap a towel around his waist and roll the ends up like a soft string behind him. DO NOT roll the towel too tight. Grasp the ends of the towel with a steady hand and use the grip to show the child how to balance. Don't hold the bike, just use the towel to make it keep the right balance. This method is more effective than holding the bike, because your child will get used to seeking balance on his own while feeling the safety of your ride.
Step 13. Attach a rope that is not too long on the saddle
With this method you will be able to keep the bike under control but you will let the child get used to balancing it independently. As her experience increases, choose a longer rope, which will allow you to avoid a fall by simply pulling it towards you.
Method 2 of 2: Alternative to Wheels
Step 1. Take the pedals off the bike and let the child familiarize himself with balance by balancing himself and placing his feet on the ground. It may take a few weeks to kick off
If necessary, put the pedals back on and show him how a bike works.
Step 2. Follow all the other steps of the other methodology from step 5, and encourage your child to ride a bike using the pedals
Step 3. Finished
Advice
- To avoid falls, teach your child to steer slightly when he feels he is falling, for example if he feels he is falling from the right side, teach him to move the steering wheel to the left. This way he will be able to correct himself. When changing from a four-wheeled bicycle to one to two, children tend to follow the logic of "I go in the direction I want". This tip will teach him to set a different control on his bike.
- It may take several days, or weeks, before the child is able to ride a bike on his own. Don't be impatient, stay close to him and follow his step. Not everyone has the same times.
- For children aged 1 to 5 you could think of a Prebike, that is a bike designed for the little ones that helps them to become familiar with the pedals, with balance and with movement from the earliest years of age. When your child has grown up, you can switch to a bike with rear wheels.
- Do not force your child to learn to ride a bike, if he experiences it as a constraint he will not be able to have fun and will not get any results. If he doesn't care, he won't be able to learn.
- You could remove the pedals from the bike (but remember to put them back in the right way) and let your child ride the bike by balancing and resting his feet. When you reassemble the pedals, he will have learned to balance.
- If your child doesn't feel comfortable, tell them that they don't need to learn right now. Especially if he is afraid. Tell him he can do it whenever he wants, without constraints.
Warnings
- Make sure the brakes are working properly and the wheels are in good condition.
- Always have your child wear a protective helmet when riding a bike.
- Practice on the grass rather than the floor. The lawn will give him more traction and stability.
- Have the child wear gloves during the first few exercises.
