Learning to ride a bike is an exciting rite of passage for any child. For younger children, tricycles can be a useful preparation tool, as they take care of the balancing side of things whilst children master one of the most important skills of learning to ride: pedalling.
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This means that by the time your child makes the transition to 'big bikes' (or pedal bikes), the only thing they'll need to focus on is learning to balance!
But how old does your child need to be before they can start riding a tricycle? In this article, we will be looking at the ideal age for kids to start riding tricycles.
The general recommendation is that 2.5 ' 3 years is the youngest a child should be when they start riding a tricycle. At this age, your child will have developed the gross motor skills necessary to pedal a tricycle (including coordination and the physical movement of pedalling.
Although tricycles tend to be safer than bicycles, as they are lower to the ground, more stable, and do not tip over easily, they are still generally not recommended for children under this age. This is because most children under this age will be too short and not strong enough to ride a tricycle. They may also not possess the necessary gross motor skills, meaning they may be more likely to fall off or have accidents.
With that being said, a balance bike or specialised tricycles for toddlers may be an option for slightly younger children (e.g. 24 months and up) to learn how to pedal. These may be a safer option to help your younger child learn how to pedal, if you don't want to wait until the 2.5 ' 3 year mark.
However, there are several factors that you will need to take into account when determining whether or not your younger child is ready to ride a trike. For example, you will need to consider your child's height (as they need to be tall enough to be able to comfortably reach the pedals, and put their feet down when they want to stop the tricycle), as well as their physical strength (as they need to be strong enough to be able to pedal and steer the tricycle).
If your toddler is able to reach the pedals, put their feet down, and is strong enough to pedal and control the trike, there is no reason they can't give pedalling on a balance bike or tricycle for toddlers a try!
When it comes to buying a tricycle for your child, there are a few other key things that you will want to keep in mind. For example, you will want to choose a tricycle that is appropriately sized for your child's height and age (as a toddler will require a smaller tricycle than a child who is 3+ years old, for example).
You will also want to choose one that has the proper safety features. Look for trikes with a wider front tyre to help balance the bike, and a parental assistance handle to help with steering. Check out Push Me Home for this!
Finally, you'll want to choose a trike that your child loves! A lot of the time, the easiest way to do this is to take your child with you to pick out a trike. Not only will this be a great bonding experience for the two of you, but your child will also be able to pick out a trike that they love the look of, and which they will continue to love for several years to come!
Is your child ready to get started with their first tricycle? If so, be sure to check out our range of assistance products here. You'll also find a variety of other learning to ride resources here.
A tricycle is one of the most attractive playthings for your child. But unless this is bought at the right age, it can be useless. Determining the age at which a child can pedal a tricycle will help parents make an informed decision. Find out the right time to buy a tricycle.
You just can't wait to buy a fancy tricycle for your child and watch him trundle down the lane on it. But are you sure that your child is ready to ride one? If bought at the wrong time, your little one might not be able to enjoy it. What's more, the child may completely loathe the idea of riding a tricycle, considering the effort it requires. So, while 37-42 months of age is usually a good time for your child to enjoy this purchase, make sure you analyse the following factors.
Your little one seems to be growing at lightning speed, and now is the time to buy him his first tricycle. Now that you are ready to buy him a tricycle, there are several factors you should be aware of and several questions you must ask yourself before deciding on one. Let's go through the questions you should keep in mind while buying a tricycle.
Your little one should be tall enough such that he can comfortably reach the pedals. So, if the child has to stretch to reach the pedals, there is no way he is going to enjoy riding a tricycle. Also, it's important that his feet touch the ground while he is seated on the tricycle. After all, the braking mechanism of a tricycle involves touching the foot to the ground. In case his feet don't touch the ground, he might find it hard to stop the bicycle and is even prone to falls.
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There is no doubt that riding a tricycle can be strenuous, especially if the child doesn't have the necessary strength. A tot needs to put in a lot of effort to pedal the tricycle. Similarly, he needs considerable strength to turn the vehicle. So, to know when is a child ready for a tricycle, gauge if he has enough strength to pedal and steer it around.
Just because a tricycle has three wheels doesn't mean that you don't have to worry about balance. It's important that your tot has enough body balance to get on and off the tricycle without falling down. Also, he should be able to stay upright and stable once he sits in the vehicle. Riding in a straight line requires a sense of balance. So, unless your child can walk and run properly, it wouldn't be a good idea to buy him a tricycle.
Riding a tricycle isn't as easy as it seems. Your tot needs to pedal with his foot, look out for hurdles in the way, and steer when need be. This requires a lot of coordination as well as some spatial awareness. Your little one may take some time to get acquainted with it. Thus, buying a tricycle before the child learns to coordinate his body and mind would definitely not work.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests some tips and tricks to keep their child safe while riding a tricycle (1).
The right age to ride a tricycle or a bicycle starts at the age of two when toddlers are building their hand-coordination, gross motor skills, and necessary physical strength. Once the baby has developed and skills to push the pedals, they can be given a tricycle with big wheels.
A good todder tricycle should be of a suitable size according to the baby's height and weight, durable enough to handle bumps and wear and tear. It should have cushioned seat, sturdy side wheels, adjustable handles, anti-slip tires, and no loose screws.
Riding a tricycle is an excellent activity that enhances a child's gross motor skills, encourages outdoor play, fosters exploration, helps build peer interaction, and boosts self-confidence.
Your child is ready for a tricycle when he can get on and off it and ride it around without any assistance from you. Of course, you can opt for the push-handle vehicle too. However, this is a far cry from the traditional tricycles.
References/Resources:
Ready for a Tricycle?; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Ready-For-A-Tricycle.aspx
Also Read:
Ice Skating for Kids
Best Sports for Kids to Play
Health Benefits of Cycling for Kids
Essential Safety Tips For Toddler Cycling
Easy Tips to Teach a Child to Ride a Bicycle
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