A balance bike is a great tool when teaching a child how to ride a bike. One of the best things about a balance bike is the simplicity and ease-of-use. Most children can jump right on it and be using the bike in a matter of minutes. However, there are a few things to consider when you are preparing to teach your child to ride one of these bikes. The most challenging part of teaching a child will involve choosing the correct bike, the first ride, and dealing with frustration.
Teaching a child to ride a balance bike will be much easier if you select the correct bike in the beginning. At first glance it may appear that many of these balance bikes are very much alike; however, some bikes are designed for different sizes of children. Be certain that you are choosing a bike which is designed for the age of your child. Some bikes are built for children as young as 18 months old, while others are designed for children four or five years old. Another thing to consider when preparing the bike is to have it properly adjusted to fit your child. The handlebars should be adjusted at a comfortable arm’s-length while the child is resting on the seat. Also, the seat height should allow for the child’s feet to touch the ground with the knees slightly bent. Also, just like a regular bike do not forget to always have the child wear a helmet when riding.
The first ride for a child can either be fun and exciting or unpleasant. For their first ride it is advisable to start out on a grassy surface or even let them get used to the bike indoors on carpet. They will inevitably crash, and landing on a soft surface will allow them to jump right back up and get back on. When they first get on the bike simply allow them to get the feel of the bike and how they can balance on it. Start them off by sitting on the seat and just walking along slowly. Soon you will find they are having fun and they will start to run and pick up some speed. If there is a gentle slope in the grassy area this is a good place for them to start to learn to pick up their feet and glide short distances. Once they get used to the balance you can transition onto pavement and other hard surfaces for easier riding.
When teaching a child to ride a balance bike there will inevitably be some frustration in the beginning. The child may fall and not want to get back on the bike right away. It’s okay to let them walk away and do something else for a while. If you push the child to hard to get back on the bike it may become an unpleasant experience for them and they will not want to learn to ride. Some children give up on the first day and do not want to touch the bike for three or even four weeks. However, most of these children end up getting back on and having a great time.
Simply keeping these tips in mind when teaching your child to ride can make for a much more smoother learning experience. Just remember to choose the right size bike, start out on a soft surface, and don’t get too frustrated with your child. There are several balance bike videos which can demonstrate how to properly ride a balance bike. It’s also very important to remember to have them wear helmets even on the soft surfaces.