Dd is 10 and can't ride a bike. She's slightly dyspraxic and struggles with many physical activities. I obviously want to help and support her as much as possible.
Dh and I both think bike riding is a skill she should have, in later life she can then decide whether to use that skill or not. Plus they do cycling proficiency later on in Year 6 and I want her to have the choice whether to do it or not, rather than not be able to take part because she can't ride a bike.
She has started having private lessons with an excellent instructor. He's taught many kids to ride including special needs etc and has a lot of experience. Dd's had a few lessons and he says she's doing well. He's concentrating on getting her to balance which is the biggest aspect. But dd's finding it hard going and complains every time. But I know dd - she wants to be able to ride, she just doesn't want to go through the process of learning which for her could take some time.
A few years ago she struggled with swimming. It took a year of private lessons (and lots of moaning) until she could swim, but she eventually got to a point when she thanked me for persevering and now gets a lot of pleasure from swimming.
I've talked to a few adults who don't ride a bike and they say they wish they had learnt as children. Dh thinks we should insist she carries on. But I've got a few doubts in my mind and I know that riding a bike is not in the same league as swimming.
WWYD?
AIBU?
To perservere with dd's cycling lessons?
Dancergirl · 06/10/2013 21:10
Ah! As soon as I saw the title I thought, I wonder if the child is dyspraxic.
We are having the same issue at the moment with out son. Tbh Im worried about the falls once he does learn 
the tumbles off his scooter are pretty nasty. And I broke my arm falling off a bike when I was about his age, my balance is horrendous.
Yes - I think she should persevere .
Ds is dyspraxic, he learnt to ride at 6 1/2, though we taught him (it was a long process
)....... He is more fine motor dyspraxia.
My dnephew also dyspraxic, has also learnt to ride a bike, he has quite severe gross motor dyspraxia.
With both of them there was an incentive, and actually it was the same - a mountian bike.... But that was something they really wanted.
I suggest you "incentivize" her with something she really wants.
Your acknowledging it is something really hard, and you are rewarding her for pushing through it.
Bike riding is also something that will really help her dyspraxia, her core stability and the using both sides of her body in diff ways. Also helps with visual processing.... And that's just the start.
We now have a big dog, who has to be walked. Ds find it far easier to come with me in his bike, than in foot , which for some reason he finds far more tiring ( he is really fit - so it has to be about his dyspraxia)
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