Have bicycle, won't travel
Today is my younger son's third birthday. He got a Thomas the Tank Engine bicycle. And he just sits on it. Or he walks it around the house. Or he sits on it, waits for someone to put his feet on the pedals, then waits for someone (me) to grab the handlebars and walk him around. That's right, he refuses to push on the pedals.
He was more excited about his new DVDs, books and his cake than he was his bicycle. Although he won't let anyone else touch his bicycle.
I remember when Evan turned 3, he also got a bicycle. And he went wild on it, riding up and down the sidewalk with a big grin on his face. I know -- different kid, different skill sets, etc.
But it's tough to remain patient when your kid flat-out refuses to even try. He already has a tricycle that he loves ... to be pushed on.
Any suggestions?
Comments
My son did the exact same thing when he was 3. When he was good and ready (close to 4), he pedaled himself. Relax.
Posted by: jeff | June 23, 2008 3:14 PM
My son, who will be 4 in October, still doesn't like to pedal. Does the same thing: Expects us to push him around or he scoots in the bikes Fred Flinstone style.
We even bought him that Fisher Price Smart Cycle for Christmas, which encourages pedaling to play educational video games.
No dice.
I'm hoping he'll come around soon. We've got two tricycles and one big wheel just waiting to get used!
Posted by: anne | June 27, 2008 5:37 PM
I'm a Pediatrician as well as a parent of a 3 year old. The developmental age when pedaling is usually accomplished is age 3. That is when kids will typically start riding a tricycle. It may mean right when they turn 3 or it may be later in the year. They may have the physical skills but their brain isn't ready yet. The same can be said for the fact that 3 year olds can draw a circle, but ask them to draw a square or triangle, and it may take another year or two. The brain just isn't ready to accomplish those tasks. Incidentally, my 3 year old daughter can ride her tricycle well, but she cannot ride her bicycle with training wheels although she loves honking the little horn on it!
Posted by: Michael Mizrachy | June 29, 2008 8:40 PM