Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Kay & Bicycle: One Step at a Time

Date:  Sep 10, 2013

This blog is about how I train Kay Kay not to afraid of two wheels bicycle.  :)

The following link is the blog entry I wrote on Kay Kay riding his 2 wheels bike without pedals. 

http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2012/02/kids-bicycle.html (click)

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It is time to upgrade him to 2 wheels bike with pedals.  He will use Jay Jay's old Trek bike.

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In the past few months, mommy trying to get him cycle on it, but I think failed.  So, the last resort she had is to take down only 1 side wheels and make it a "Tri-cycle".  

Hmmm… That is a nice try, but I think it will only make Kay Kay more uncomfortable scare.  Imagine a normal bicycle with two wheels and then an extra side wheels on the left.  That is strange, and I think the way how my wife teach Kay Kay is wrong.

So, since my wife is on business trip, let's surprise her with my new training program.

First, we got to lose the side wheels.  Kay Kay today must ride on a two wheels only bike.

He is 4 years old now, no negotiations.  He must ride on two wheels bike.

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So, I got rid of the third wheels.  And initially, he felt a bit uneasy.  But later, he found some familiar feelings.

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Yes, previously he was pretty good on his two wheels bike (the one without pedals).  

Of course, I also saw what is the problem.  This bike is still a little bit tall for him.  But I think it is about the right size, because, as you can see both legs are able to barely touch the ground, so, it is good.  Now the thing is how to kick start the rolling.

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 From this video you can clearly see that Kay Kay is not tall enough to completely place his feet on the ground.  But it is good enough.  So, our aim today is to make him "not afraid" of riding the bike.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/Mj---AEUiuw

There is a very important rule.  When the kids fall down, don't always rush to be there.  As a parent, our wish is to train our kids to be independent.  These kids have to handle their own bike.  I know it is very heavy.  But nope, I refuse to help him, and I don't allow Jay Jay to help him too.  Kay Kay have to pick up his own bike.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/N9_Q02zSjsc

The second aim, is to let Kay Kay to sit on his bike, slowly push the bike in sitting position towards me.  HaHaHaHa… It seems that he needs a lot of strength to do so.  But slowly, he managed to grasp the idea.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/uopfkGj_UWA

Initially, the bike keep on falling down.  The bike is heavy for Kay Kay's size.  But since this is his bike, he has to handle it himself.  And try to encourage him and make it sounds fun to play with the bike this way.  When the kid is happy, it drives away the fear.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/VFJAOXEHomw

Me & Jay Jay just sit there and watch, give encouragement.  And Kay Kay really handle this bike well. 

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/TEG6TWEJyOc

Next thing to learn is how to pick up the bike.  From the correct side.  

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/rcIkMOP5kCE

Once he can move short distance, then you ask him to push the bike for even longer distance.  It is fun watching him to do so.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/LP5KH-Nvuk0

It needs a lot of patient to teach a 4 years old to handle a two wheels bike.  The key word is patient.  You must have the patient to see him fall down, not giving any help, and make him push the bike.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/A6pwCGVVNKI

I think give him another 3-6 months, make him eat more veggies, and jump more.  Eventually he will know how to handle the bike.

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