Children from ages two to four are exceptionally curious--they're interested in everything they see, hear, smell, and feel. They don't like hearing that they can't or do something, or that they're "not allowed" to. When they see other children, parents, siblings, and friends riding bicycles, toddlers want to ride for themselves. But what exactly is a toddler bike? What kind of bike is appropriate for a toddler to ride?
Safety is an important issue, and since many toddlers struggle with balance (even on their own two feet!), it is extremely difficult for them to balance on a traditional bicycle. It's simply not safe or realistic to try to teach children to ride a traditional bike as such young ages. A toddler bike needs to be easy to balance, low to the ground, and uncomplicated in order to ensure that the small rider remains safe.
A balance bike is the quintessential toddler bike. Without pedals, toddlers move the bike forward by pushing off the ground with their feet. When they feel balanced enough, they can lift their feet onto the small platform and glide. Toddlers learn the important skills of steering and balance before they move from their toddler bike to their "big kid" pedal bike.
Learning to steer a bike can be a challenge for many children. For example, a pedaled bike with training wheels can't turn too quickly without striking one of the training wheels. If children using balance bikes lose their balance when making a fast turn, they can easily steady themselves by putting one or both feet down on the ground. Balance bikes are ideal toddler bikes for training because they reduce the chances of a painful fall.
A high-quality balance bike is a fantastic toddler bike because it grows with your child. Many parents purchase training bikes for three year old children, yet some children may not be developmentally ready to ride a pedaled bike until they are five or six years old. Some balance bike brands have adjustable handlebars and adjustable seats that enable children to use them for many years until they are ready to graduate to a pedaled bike.
Balance bikes have been popular toddler bikes in Europe for decades, and are now garnering a massive demand in the United States as well. It is understandably difficult to break tradition--most American parents learned how to ride on a traditional bicycle after starting with a tricycle or training wheels, and there is a tendency to stick with what we know.
However, balance bikes not only teach toddlers the invaluable developmental skill of balance, but they also promote self-reliance and confidence. If a toddler discovers he can gradually teach himself how to ride a bike, he will be confident to try and explore new skills as he continues to grow.
Balance bikes come in many different colors and styles, they stand at different heights, and many can be easily adjusted to fit your individual child's physical needs. A balance bike is the perfect toy for the young, adventurous and actively developing child.
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