Perhaps you've seen little kids riding "balance bikes" recently: low to the ground bikes without pedals. Several weeks ago we took the training wheels
and the pedals off Madelyn's bike. If you ever watch a child riding a bike with training wheels, it's pretty easy to see why it is not a very effective way to learn to ride.
Whenever we went to the park over the next few weeks, Madelyn rode her homemade balance bike. At first it was very awkward but every time she got more comfortable and was soon able to push along with long strides and coast for longer stretches.
As we were beginning to feel that it was time to reattach the pedals, Madelyn had a great idea. There was a toy she had been pining after, which I didn't want to just give her for no reason. It's hard to say "maybe for your birthday or Christmas" when both are half a year away. All on her own, Madelyn suggested that when she learns to ride her bike with the pedals, she could have this DreamLite toy. This is actually a brilliant approach for Madelyn because she has a tendency to want to quit when something is difficult.
So the next day we headed to an empty parking lot and gave it a whirl!
Madelyn did so well! We started by coasting down the hill so she could practice balancing, and that was so natural because of her experience using the bike without training wheels or pedals. Next she started using the pedals with Gary just staying nearby to support her, and it was a pretty easy transition. By far the hardest part to master was starting off from a stationary position, especially with any slight incline.
Madelyn did get frustrated. She wanted to go home a few times. But the promise of her special reward, which she had suggested herself, brought her determination back each time.
She could ride the bike by herself after the first session, but we wanted to see more confidence and independence, especially with the push-off, before saying the task was "done." So we went back a second day and Madelyn gained the experience and confidence she needed to truly be called a bike-rider! And she is really having fun with it.
Gary was a great teacher, and now we have Madelyn join us on her bike for "family walks!" We've also tried to help Madelyn understand that while the DreamLite was a fun reward, the lifelong skill of riding a bike is a treasure in itself. And she worked hard to earn it!
