Speaking of skills...
We tried to make this happen sporadically throughout the summer and met with fear and resistance. Then the other day the girls were out playing in the hall, and Edith popped her head back into the apartment to say, "Mom, guess what I learned to do in the hall!"
Yup. We finally moved downstairs and outside. She has gone from 0 to 60 in an instant, in terms of both skill and enthusiasm. Is this how we should let her learn to drive in another decade? (No parental guidance, in the hallway...)
7 comments:
Go Edith!
If you don't have one, see if you can score a used balance bike (aka run bike) for Alice-- easy way to learn balance, and transition to biking w/pedals is super easy. They're on craig's list frequently around here, but always get snapped up immediately. (other search terms-- specific brands-- are Skuut, glide, strider, like-a-bike, kinderbike)
Love it! Until I was about 10 or 11 (when we moved to a less bike-friendly neighborhood) I spent whole summers on my bike, riding around with friends, riding to the elementary school or the public library... so much fun, and freedom! Happy to see E enjoying it. :)
In fact, A., I think a balance bike is what did the trick. We got one for Alice for her birthday, having heard the testimony about them. Turns out she's still too small for it, but Edith took to coasting up and down the hallway on it, legs tucked up. One day she evidently decided to switch over to her own bike, and she discovered she had it down now. So yes, I'm now a real believer! Have your kids had success with the balance bike, too?
Yep-- balance bike was how Sam learned (at around 5, I think? We got one for him at 4 but it was too big for him to comfortably use). Got one for F. at the end of the summer but she wasn't interested... hopefully when it warms up. I'm absolutely a believer-- and it's also way easier for a parent than running around holding onto the back of a bike!
Congrats Edith!
Raise Edith's seat a couple inches as soon as you get a chance - will make a huge difference!
We too are devotees of the balance bike. Provided you get a model that adjusts small enough, they can start walking along on it at 3, and be riding it by 3 1/2 or 4.
At that point, move to an absurdly small pedal-bike (10 or 12 inch wheels) with NO training wheels. These tiny bikes can be difficult to find, especially used - craigslist is the key.
Congrats on 1 and good luck with the second time round! Bet you're looking forward to taking local bike trips on eight wheels!
M., I look at Edith and think she needs the seat up, too. It's a matter of confidence on her part: When she stops, her feet barely touch on either side, and she's not comfortable yet leaning to just one side. A great guy at the local bike shop fitted her and explained that high knees are a better deal than an anxious starter/stopper at first.
Alice is still the size of a 18-24 month old, so we have a ways to go before she graduates to the next bike!
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