Step by step guideline to teach your child cycling.
Research has proven that at four years of age most kids have leg strength, dexterity, balance as well as understating of bike riding basic instructions. However, not every kid at that age has all needed physical components or rather feel prepared emotionally for riding without the training wheels. Am a professional but got to learn the skills at eight years.
While teaching your kid how to cycle, it is advised that parents avoid putting much pressure on the kids or imply frustration while passing the skills as it might delay learning process of the same. When the kid is ready, below are some of the steps to teaching your kid on cycling.
1. 1. Shop smart
Learning how to cycle begins with purchasing a bike with the correct size of wheels and for kids it’s likely to be 16 inches or 14 inches. While your kid is sitting on the bicycle’s seat, the legs should both touch the surface when straight. Additionally, consider going for a bike which is lighter as such bikes need minimal leg power for propelling. Also consider a model which is capable of stopping through backward propelling. This is because most kids will tend to play with handbrakes rather than focusing on learning.
1. 2. Easy start
For a start, balance or run bikes with no pedals as they make best starting tool giving kids confidence and balance. For other kids you can let them use the training-wheel for some time but do not make it longer such that the kid gets comfortable using the wheels. Such training-wheels might frustrate the kid as learning may slow down and may make the kid get some habits which will be hard to terminate with time.
1. 3. Set the training scene
Moving from three wheels to the two wheels cycling requires you to get a safe, open place like a school playground which is paved, a parking lot with no vehicles or a well-trimmed, flat field. Avoid places like nearby traffic and narrow sidewalks in the streets in the locality as they make the kids nervous. Begin by letting the kid practice through stopping then pushing the pedals backwards and also putting their feet down. Keep holding the bike up as the kid does all this.
1. 4. Ready then set and go
Hold the seat of the bike or get your hand resting on the kid’s neck at the back for steadiness then let the kid begin pedaling. Let the kid look ahead but not the surface so as to steer straight. Run alongside the kid until they get balanced and are moving at the right clip then you can let go. In case the kid tumbles, offer encouragement and comfort to get them trying again.
1. 5. Starting solo
When the kid gets to hang to ride alone now teach the kid ready position which involves having one pedal up then in front a bit then have the kid stomp down moving with the bike with no support. Once the kid learns this stage, let them learn on building fast speed while staying upright.
Why cycling for kids?
- For exercise – kids should cycle to keep fit.
- Happy mind – cycling improves mood.
- Coordination and balance – cycling fine-tunes skills and enhances coordination and balancing of the kid.
Physical benefit of cycling for the kids
l Toning and strengthening of muscles
Cycling involves pedaling which is a great activity in toning muscles around the thighs and the calf. This activity offers general physical workout as it involves whole body movement. As the kid balances, the muscles of the arm as well get strengthened.
l Improved functioning of cardiovascular
While cycling, the heart tends to beat unusually fast. Such exercises heart promoting good health. Kids who are cycling cannot suffer from any cardiovascular complication.
l Increased levels of energy
Cycling increases the stamina of the body giving boost of endurance capacity. A kid who cycles tends to have higher levels of energy giving the kid option of fitness activities and exercises.
Mental benefit of cycling for the kids
l Makes one feel happy
Cycling enhances mood as a research by experts’ form Green Bowling State University proved that cycling for about ten minutes can make someone happier. While exercising, the body produces serotonin which is a happy hormone. Such hormones trigger happiness.
l Stress and anxiety relief
Cycling helps in easing stress and anxiety. While cycling, cortisol a stress hormone is reduced. BDNF as well gets to be produced which protects the brain from being stressed.
l Proper sleep
Just like exercising, cycling improves good sleep. The brain releases HGH to the blood stream during sleeping hours.
Conclusion
Learning to cycle can take a week, a single afternoon or even a longer time. Professionals suggest that you call it a day when the session gets no more fun and give a try the following day to avoid frustrating the kid such that they give up. In case it becomes so hard for the parent to take the kid through the training, seek help form a teacher or take the kid to cycling classes to be taught by professional
