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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

'Forgotten' how to ride a bike

3 replies

jasperc163 · 27/11/2011 14:36

DD1 aged 6 learnt to ride in spring aged 5 and whilst cautious was doing really well and quite happy to follow me around the village etc. For various reasons she didnt really use it much for 2-3 months, has got back on and is terrified, unable to ride it at all, calling herself useless :-( and becoming hysterical. Basically totally lost her nerve

She is a very sensitive and cautious child and my inclination is to drop it completely until she shows interest again. However I am aware she worries about things and now feels 'useless' - her words and I don't want this feeling to fester.

Any advice re best way to deal with this?

thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

StrongestMummyInTheWorld · 27/11/2011 20:38

One way to help her with her feelings about it is to say that she has probably got taller and so her muscles don't quite remember how it all works. Tell her to be kind to herself and that this happens and she will get it back. (It even happens to grown ups who have been cycling for years and years and years, it really does.)

If you can, take the pedals off (or have a bike shop take them off for you), and let her scoot around without them until she can balance really well and use the brakes okay. When she's comfortable with that, then put the pedals back on and tell her to try again.

Original poster

jasperc163 · 28/11/2011 13:10

thank you strongtestmummy. She mentioned it again this morning :-(. I don't want to teach her that its ok to give up but at the same time don't want to upset her anymore than she already is by pushing her to keep trying. I had no idea this could happen (its not like she had a bad fall or anything) or I would have made sure we used it more regularly.

I think you are right, maybe we should take the pedals off (difficult on a bike with gears?) if she remains reticent.

OP posts:

StrongestMummyInTheWorld · 30/11/2011 15:05

I don't think there's a problem with taking the pedals off a bike with gears. You leave the cranks on, it's only the bit you rest your foot on that comes off. Best take it to a bike shop, or someone who has a pedal spanner (they are long and very flat, you can't get most general spanners into the gap.)

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