How do you teach a 2-1/2 y/o to pedal on a trike. DS will walk it around, or sit and push it with his feet, but will not pedal. I have even gotten on it and shown him how to do it...imagine that if you can, I'm 5-8 160lbs and my knees were up around my ears...but no dice, uh... Any ideas?
Ours got trikes for their 3rd birthday. It took a few months before they could figure out the pedaling. I think it was actual an Elmo video showing the furry guy on a trike that help them. I don't know that you can really teach them - they just have to figure it out.
my dd is 4 1/2 and still can't pedal totaly. i always have to give her a push to get started. i think everyone learns at a different pace.
My boys figured out how to pedal last spring ....a couple months shy of 2.5yrs old. For them, it seemed to come together after watching some of the older cousins riding their bikes with them at grandma's house. Practice outside once the weather gets better certainly helps also.
Have they seen other kids pedal? I think this is key. Our neighbor girls pedal and so the girls picked up on it pretty quickly. We got trikes for their 2nd birthday but they didn't pedal them until 2.5. They did pedal the neighbor's trike at 2.2-2.3 months though, since the resistance was different. But I think them watching them, they figured out that they could have fun pedaling.
My boys have just started pedaling their trikes this month. Before that, they just used them like ride-ons. They still don't pedal all of the time, but they finally have the concept down and will pedal some if I give them a little push to get them going. Their big motivator was the big boys up the street pedaling their big wheels and two-wheelers. I think that the pedaling skill is something that shows up around the age of 3. Before that, I just don't think they have the coordination or strength to get going.
My son learned how to pedal about six months ago, believe it or not. He learned by us doing just what you did. You would think DD would have caught on by now,but no... she still uses hers as a ride-on. Everyone is different I guess. Crystal
quote: I think that the pedaling skill is something that shows up around the age of 3. Before that, I just don't think they have the coordination or strength to get going. 3yrs is probably about average. But many 2.5yrs old can do it...so give it a try! All last summer (at 2.5yrs), our boys not only could pedal but were "speed demons" on their big wheels. They also learned last fall how to use a scooter.(one foot on and the other foot pushes) Like everything else, every kid reaches different milestones and skill sets at different times based on their make up and what their exposed to.
It's funny you posted this..but today was the first day Lauren and Madison really got the idea about pedaling their big wheels (hand-me-downs from Abby & Lilly, who also figured it out about this age). Their big wheels have handles on them and we've been pushing them around on them for a month or so + some last fall, and just tell them to put their feet up on the pedals so they get the feel of the motion. Today I had them out playing and just kept telling them to put their feet up and push push push and it worked!! They are by no means speeding around yet...but it's a great start..next we'll work on steering. I can remember this taking a little time with A & L...they would get so preoccupied with the fact they were moving forward and would forget to steer! LOL Goodluck & just give it a bit of time!! He will get it!!
I was about to ask this question today. My toddlers turned 2 on Mar 1st. We bought them the tricycles for their 2nd birthday. From the beginning I am telling that they cannot push with legs and instead should pedal. Am I being unreasonable? I am trying to teach them on gradual slopes. On the slopes it is easier for them to pedal and I am hoping they will get the confidence that they can pedal themselves without mummy's help (pushing). Not sure if I am using the right teaching methods. S&S Mom
quote: Originally posted by S&SMom: I was about to ask this question today. My toddlers turned 2 on Mar 1st. We bought them the tricycles for their 2nd birthday. From the beginning I am telling that they cannot push with legs and instead should pedal. Am I being unreasonable? I am trying to teach them on gradual slopes. On the slopes it is easier for them to pedal and I am hoping they will get the confidence that they can pedal themselves without mummy's help (pushing). Not sure if I am using the right teaching methods. S&S Mom In my opinion, they will have a lot more fun if they are allowed to propel the trike the way that they choose. It's a toy, after all, and there's no law that says that it must be pedaled. If you kids just turned two, it may be months or even a year before they can pedal properly. If they enjoy practicing on the slope with you pushing, then that's great. But, don't forget that they may want to figure it out at their own pace.
