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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

3.5yo DS won't/can't ride a scooter

15 replies

lifesobeautiful · 07/02/2014 10:55

My 3 year old DS can't ride a scooter... he can go along on it for a bit but can't steer and loses interest after about 5 minutes. I see all these other tiny kids scooting along on theirs and feel a bit embarrassed that I haven't got him riding his. Has anyone else had this problem? He's got a mini micro scooter - perhaps he needs a bigger one now? He's quite tall for his age. Otherwise developmentallly he's always been fine - sitting, crawling, walking, running etc at the expected ages.

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CrackedNipplesSuchFun · 07/02/2014 11:48

I have no advice I'm afraid but I can empathise! I have a nearly 3 year old and won't even go near bikes or scooters. As hard as I try and as silly as I make myself demonstrating the fun that can be had, he just won't have any of it.

MrsBennetsEldest · 07/02/2014 11:52

I wouldn't worry at all. My 3 all taught themselves to ride a bike a different ages. The youngest was only 4, eldest was 5 and middle one was 6. Children are all different and all do things at the right time for them.

YouLoveItDoreen · 07/02/2014 11:56

DS sits down on the footplate of a scooter he grew up using a scuttlebug,so I guess he just assumed that is what you do! He is also 3, and still hasn't got the hang of riding a bike (pushing the pedals full circle) but I think that is normal. Is it possible that your DS tires after the 5 minutes he is interested? As the weather gets better he will have more opportunities to play and maybe that will help!

dogindisguise · 07/02/2014 12:01

DS doesn't get his either (he's 3.2). He will stand on it but not scoot. Afraid I haven't put much effort into teaching him as I find it difficult with DD as well. Nor has he got the hang of peddling a bike.

DeWe · 07/02/2014 14:41

It's practise I'm afraid. Take it on holiday and walk/scoot everywhere for a week has done it for all three of mine.

Flowerpup · 07/02/2014 15:06

My son 3.4 yrs cannot grasp it at all and I know how you feel when you see a little tot scooting along. I bought him a micro scooter and he just couldn't do it, still can't! Not sure why.

Pascha · 07/02/2014 15:09

DS1 can scoot like a demon but cannot get the hang of bikes at all, or trikes, or anything sit on. He's 3.4.

Ragwort · 07/02/2014 15:14

Does it matter? Why would you be embarrassed that he cannot ride a scooter? Perhaps if he loses interest in it afer 5 minutes it is just not 'his' thing.

Scooters can be a real nuisance when ridden by children in public .

My DS never had a scooter, he learned to ride a bike (with stabalisers) from about 4.

elsiewoo · 07/02/2014 19:18

My DS got one for Christmas when he was 2.4. He couldn't get the hang of it and lost interest quite quickly. Fast forward 12 months and he suddenly took an interest and is a real speed demon now at 3.6, it happened very suddenly.

omama · 07/02/2014 19:36

My DS (3.5) got a scooter & balance bike for his 3rd birthday. For the last 6 months they've both stood virtually unused - he struggled to get the hang of how to get them moving & lost interest very quickly. He was never bothered with ride-ons as a young toddler either so I'm not surprised really! He seems to much prefer playing with figures/cars/playmobil/lego type toys & I guess that's more his 'thing'.

He did get the scooter out the other day & had a go around the house so I'm secretly hoping he might get into it over spring/summer - he's getting too big for the pushchair now & DH's shoulders can't take much more carrying!

notwoo · 07/02/2014 19:41

Dd was the same- took her a good year to get the hang of it (tbh she didn't get loads of opportunities to practice) but yes, I used to get a bit frustrated when I saw little 2 year olds zooming past her.

Ds on the other hand was competent at 18 months!

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 07/02/2014 19:46

I wouldn't worry if it's not his thing.

Saying that though, you could try adding a seat to see if he prefers it like that.

TheCountessOlenska · 07/02/2014 20:23

We got DD a mini micro scooter for her third birthday and at first I thought she was never going to get it. We persevered because I'd just had DC2 and had decided on a scooter rather than a buggy board...the micro scooters are great as so lightweight, it just hangs off my pushchair handles no problem. She lost interest after her first failed attempt but I included it on every outing (it was the summer which made it easier) and she literally woke up one morning and was amazing on it! It was like she'd learnt it in her sleep I think it was determination on my part, I wasn't going to have wasted £xxx for nothing

Original poster

lifesobeautiful · 07/02/2014 21:16

Thank you SO much everyone! I feel a lot more chilled about it! We'll practise, but if he doesn't so much interest - will not push it! Perhaps I'll try a trike instead!

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Coveredinweetabix · 07/02/2014 21:50

DD had one for her third birthday and was utterly useless and I despaired of her ever getting the hang of it. By chance, on one of my last ditch attempts to get her to use it when she was 3.3, we went to the park & one of her nursery friends was there on his and, whoosh, she was off. There were several falls that day and she couldn't work out how to steer. We were meeting up with a few friends over the course of the following two weeks so I asked them to bring their DC's scooters with them & DD joined them. The best was a friend's 5yo who, of his own accord & in the pouring rain repeatedly went around in circles until she could circle too without falling off. She now loves her scooter & is reluctant to learn to ride her bike as its so slow. There is hope!

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