Good afternoon mums this is my first time posting.
So my daughter is nearly 4 and still can't get the hang of how to ride a bike with training wheels (my other 3 picked it up so quick) so my question is how do i teach her I try and try buy she doesn't understand to push the petal forward and I keep on losing my patients which isn't fair on her
Please help this mumma out
9 Replies
Not all kids "get" the bike thing immediately. Stop for a while and try when she's older, or get her a balance bike (or by lowering her seat right down and removing the pedals and training wheels you can turn her current bike into a balance bike) and she can learn the balance bit first. The pedalling can come when she's older. Scooters are also fun. And for the love of God, stop comparing her to her siblings. That's so unfair to her.
Kids don't have to be able to ride a bike to be successful. Sure it's fun and good exercise but there are far more important life skills to learn, like swimming.
My 10 year old struggled for years with bikes, with or without training wheels. In hindsight I wish I'd bought her a balance bike and taught her how to balance first up because that's the thing she struggles with on bikes. However, she is a speed demon on a scooter and loves riding it.
Please stop doing it if it angers you.
Honestly, she'll get it when she can. It's not her fault she can't. I know you know it but what you're doing is not positive to either of you and will create I'll feelings in her towards it and about herself.
RELAX!! there is no rush. My son didn’t learn until he was 9 who cares on their age. Just let her pick it up when she is ready. My daughter picked it up and 3 and my other daughter 4. She is obviously not ready. Let her stick to a balance bike for as long as she wants, they are great.
So stop pushing her to ride when she isn’t ready. Let her go. There is no rush or limit on these things. She will pick it up one day even if it’s when she is 10.! It doesn’t matter. Nothing to stress over.
Most of my childhood memories consist of my mum trying to teach me things like tying my shoelaces, me not instantaneously getting it, then her getting shitty with me which left me hurt and bewildered.
So I mean this in the most respectful way - just chill...
Kids learn things at their own pace, not all 4 year olds will have actually developed the coordination and gross motor skills for bike riding yet.
She is only four. You getting frustrated will make it way harder for her to learn. Step back. She simply may not be ready.
Neither of my kids could “get” riding with training wheels. And never rode their bike.
Both of them at 4 and a half decided they wanted to ride a bike but no training wheels they got on and just did it.
I wouldn’t stress.
Neither of my kids particularly love ridi their bike at 5 and 8. They’re got at it but it’s not their thing. I think that’s why they wouldn’t do it when they were younger looking back
She's 3, chill!!
I had the same issues with my boy. This is going to be lengthy, but it works.
Your childnmust be getting so frustrated! Use that to your advantage. Let her try a couple times.. then ensure she takes a deep breathe and tries again with lots of encouragement from you. This time, make sure when she is starting that her dominant foot pedal is at 2 o'clock. Sit eye level along side her, with your hand on her thigh. Tell her to "use her mad! Gently push that domainant thigh down to show her the pressure she needs, then jump up and down clapping in support as she pushes away from you successfully.
This will also show her that frustration can be useful to propel us forward, which is a great life lesson.
Wishing you well, and a successful family ride with giggles of pride.