Children need to spend time outdoors to be able to bask in the sun, feel the fresh air, and be one with nature. The best way to explore the outdoors is by riding a bike, a scooter, or typically anything with wheels that will allow your kids to be able to explore a wider perimeter at a fast but safe pace. Thus, here are some tips on how to start introducing your kids to the wheels.
Be wise in shopping
To be able to effectively introduce your kids to wheels, you need to shop smart. This entails the need for you to buy the appropriate size of wheels for your child in such a way that your kid will be able to touch the ground with straight legs if you are teaching him or her to ride a bike.
If you are looking into buying a four-wheeler for your little one, ensure that he or she fits appropriately and will not likely fall off as soon as the ride starts up. The experts provide a substantial review of the best four-wheelers for kids in the past year and it is worthwhile to visit this site to have an idea on what can be appropriate for your kid if you are considering introducing a four-wheeler.
The key thing is to be able to purchase wheels that are appropriate for the size of your child for him or her to be able to easily maneuver or balance.
Start in the easy route
Another tip in introducing your kids to wheels is to start easy. This entails the need for you to introduce first run or balance bikes if you are keen on teaching your kid to ride a bike, or opting for a scooter with three wheels for your child to be able to focus on the directions first before balancing.
There is nothing wrong if you opt to keep the training wheels on your kid’s bike, but this may get him frustrated later on because the training wheels might slow him down. You can also opt for a battery-powered four wheeler which is comparatively slower than a gas-powered one, if you are keen on teaching your child how to maneuver a four-wheeler. A slower one will help him or her learn the ropes and the controls necessary in riding first before aiming to ride at a faster speed.
Prep your kid
Talk to your child first to be able to prepare him before the ride. It is best if you discuss with him some of the things he or she may want to avoid to prevent minor accidents and mishaps.
It is also a great idea to give him an insight on what to expect when he rides. After that, choose a suitable place to practice riding such as an empty parking lot or a paved school playground. Make sure that the area is safe and free from fast-moving or loud vehicles that may startle your little one while he is practicing his riding style.
Also ensure that your child is wearing the proper protective gear when he rides. This will prevent serious injuries in case he encounters a self-accident while riding or a collision with another rider. A helmet and knee pads that are worn properly are usually the basic protective gear that will keep your child protected from head injuries and other serious harm.
In parallel, also prepare the kind of wheels that your child is going to ride, regardless of whether it is a scooter, a bike or a four-wheel drive. Assure your child that you are just there by his side and that you will be ready to catch him if he falls on a bike or scooter or rush to his side if he bumps the four-wheeler.
Set your child free
After prepping your kid and doing a few practice runs, for sure, your child will be able to get into the groove and find his own riding style. As much as you would want to stay by his side while he is riding, there are instances wherein it is just not possible to do so. In order for him to be able to ride independently, you need to set him free.
Learning how to ride any set of wheels can take a day, a week, a month, or even longer because the learning curve of every child is different. The important thing to take note of is calling it a day when riding is already stressful and no longer fun for your kid. In the same manner, it may help to find another teacher for your kid if you deem that the process of teaching your kid to ride becomes unbearable for you too.
While it can be deemed that there are several ways on how to introduce your kids to wheels, one thing remains constant. This is the fact that your kids greatly depend on you to be able to gain familiarity with how to balance in a scooter, how to ride a bike, or how to maneuver a 4-wheel drive. It may prove to be difficult and rather quite frustrating, especially during the moments when you feel your child’s frustration as well.
Nevertheless, it can also prove to be ultimately rewarding seeing your child being able to ride on his own. Thus, set your child free and let him learn at his own pace. In parallel, be patient and trust in the process because even if your child may not be able to maneuver independently right away, he will definitely learn with consistent practice and motivation.
Introducing your kids to wheels is a great way to allow them to start exploring the outdoors. While it can often be deemed as a challenging task, teaching your kids on how to balance a bike, ride a scooter or maneuver a four-wheeler will be all worth it in the end. This is because in doing so, they will be able to challenge themselves to learn, and there is a great possibility that they will develop a love for the great outdoors.
