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5 ways to teach kids to ride a tricycle

As children outgrow babyhood, they are open to learning new things. This is the time to introduce them to slightly complex activities. It not only keeps them engaged but also boots their mental and physical health. It leads to developing essential skills and hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, motor functions, etc. Such skills get accomplished through active play. Hence, take the kids outdoors.

The best way to do this is get a tricycle for kids. It is a great tool to exercise their muscles and make them physically fit. It also has several mental growth benefits like developing focus, teaching problem solving, promoting perseverance, etc. But unlike other toys, this activity requires you to contribute your time. Riding a tricycle is a learning process. Here are some ways to make learning easier for kids:

Find a smooth surface
Start by finding a safe place. Any smooth and flat surface is ideal for this. Ensure the chosen spot is away from roads and provides ample room for movement. You may go to a park or do this in your backyard. This allows your toddler to practice without any worries about hitting something. Stay away from regions with grassy areas. While they are good cushions for preventing injuries, they interfere with pedalling and lead to erratic movement.

Prioritise balance
Before teaching to ride, focus on building balance. Cycling is all about balance. Mastering this makes the other steps easier to understand. With a tricycle baby bike, this becomes hassle-free. As cycles in this category come with training wheels or stabilisers, kids can balance independently. In some cases, if they are fearful, you need to support them until they get comfortable.

Push and run together
When it comes to supporting, the traditional technique is holding the saddle as kids ride. This makes them feel secure and confident. You may also place one hand on their shoulder and encourage them to paddle. Run along with them while urging them to keep riding. Throughout the process, correct them when they lose balance. As they become more confident, loosen the grip and let go.

Teach brakes
Safe riding begins with stopping when you sense danger. Hence, brakes are an essential aspect of cycling. Along with peddling, kids should know how and when to pull the brakes. Also, they should get the timing right. Too fast may lead to an unstable halt, and too slow may cause delay.

Leave room for mistakes
What seems easy to you may seem extremely difficult to kids. Their perception and learning ability are still in the developing stage. Hence, avoid getting impatient with their progress if they learn slowly. Encourage them despite repeated mistakes.

If required, let them cycle with their friends. It also opens them to learning empathy and social skills usually offered by kids play tents, interactive toys, and dolls