Learning to ride a bike.....

Does anyone have any suggestions for teaching 4 yr olds how to ride a bike? The girls got bike for Christmas, and we just finally got them out to try. Neither of them got a hang of the whole pedaling thing. Brooke just sat on it expecting it to move on its own, and Reagan understands she has to pedal, but she doesn’t get the whole pedal forward thing. She just keeps going back and forth, back and forth. I had them out yesterday trying for about 30 minutes, but by then all of us were frustrated, so decided to give it a rest so I can try and figure out how to teach them. I did have the girls lay on their backs so I could show them how to pedal their feet in the air (you know like exercising), but it didn’t seem to help at all. I feel like a real idiot because I know they should be able to do this, and the reason they can’t is because I haven’t taught them or at least given them the opportunity to learn. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I am assuming they have training wheels. Go find a flat driveway or cul-de-sac, or something like that and let them go. I think we started by giving them a push, it does take a bit for them to make the connection between pedaling and moving. Just keep at it, and they will get it!

 

The boys have bikes where you push them, and as they learn you take that part off...hard to explain. Otherwise, I literally get on my hands and knees and push their feet showing them.

 

Practice, practice, practice. They WILL get it!!!!

 

This is why I have tricycles. I am glad you posted this because it's reinforcing that decision. I'm sorry you are having this problem (and helping me)!!

Go to a parking lot or something where they have plenty of room!! :hug99:

 

What I did to help them get how to pedal was to stand in front of the bike placing my hands on top of the feet on the pedals and then push the pedals in the right motion while I backed up. Hope that makes even a little sense! You need a nice flat open area so you can pedal nice and slow. I think it helped them to get the whole pedal motion. We had tricycles before the bikes but both kids had a problem with the idea that pushing backward on the pedal would stop you (since the trikes didn't have a brake like that). Poor DD, in particular, would do one forward pedal and then a backward pedal that would make her stop and get her mad.

 

Thanks everyone. We've been out trying to ride 4 nights in a row. It's getting better, but they still need a lot of work.