Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

How long did it take your LO to master the scooter?

44 replies

Varfalli34 · 13/05/2014 08:55

My DS is 2.5 and really can't figure his scooter out. We have used it on and off for quite a while but only recently started giving it a proper go. I see kids his age whizzing about on them so wonder whether it just takes a bit of time? Or should I be doing something to try and help himfigure it out? He is desperate to do it and gets so frustrated that he can't.

We have the mini one which has a lower round handle maybe should I switch to the bigger handle bit?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Toastmonster · 13/05/2014 12:37

Watching with interest. I bought my son a micro for his 2nd birthday and at 3 and a half still can't grasp it! I have no idea why and it makes me worry when I see the 'babies' flying along on them.

ilovetosleep · 13/05/2014 12:41

Same here. DS is 2.9 and has had his mini micro (proper handle bars) since his second birthday. He is not that interested but really just can't get he hang of it. He'd love it if he could do it I'm sure. It's the steering he can't get I think. It would make walking with DS 2 much easier If he could scoot along side the buggy!

Original poster

Varfalli34 · 13/05/2014 13:18

The steering seems to be the thing for us too. EVery time he wants to turn or slightly redirect he stops, gets feet either side of scooter and then edges forward to turn the scooter! More practice needed or maybe some just aren't meant for scooting?!

OP posts:

LoblollyBoy · 13/05/2014 13:23

It doesn't steer like you might imagine. I had to show dd how it worked. Trouble is, it's difficult to try for yourself to get a feel for it, because high risk of breaking the scooter.

MiaowTheCat · 13/05/2014 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Portlypenguin · 13/05/2014 13:28

Also interested. Got ds a scooter for xmas at 2.5yrs, he still can't do it at 2.11. All his little friends seem perfectly competent!
He can use a balance bike though.

Longtalljosie · 13/05/2014 13:31

My DD was the same. We started using it every day to go to nursery when she was 3 and finally if clicked. Very frustrating going at half walking pace!

Original poster

Varfalli34 · 13/05/2014 13:52

This is what I am thinking. our nursery journey isn't very far and I am getting a bit pregnant to lift our buggy up and down our steps anyway. Maybe we should start a support group of those who are persevering

OP posts:

drspouse · 13/05/2014 14:02

We have the mini with a seat and he's a whizz on the seat. You have to use the O handle with the seat so we're planning on removing the seat at some point. He steers fine though.

halfdrunktea · 13/05/2014 14:56

My son is 3.5 and still hasn't got the hang of his scooter. I think we just need to practice more but he isn't really that interested, which surprised me.

DomesticGoddess31 · 13/05/2014 20:16

My dd is 3 next month and is awesome on hers....top tip, buy an adult scooter and get out with them. Dd has improved dramatically since dh got one for Christmas. She drags him out to go scooting most days.

Parietal · 13/05/2014 20:19

dd1 got a scooter at 3ish but didn't really get the hang of it until age 4 and still doesn't enjoy it or use it much - she'd rather walk.
dd2 started on her big sisters scooter at 2 and now loves scooting everywhere (age 3), but I still keep her scooter on a lead and pull on the hills (and stop her running into roads).

scooter on a lead works well if you just want to get somewhere fast rather than giving the child some exercise.

DeWee · 13/05/2014 20:35

Mine all got it around age 2-2.6yo at a week at Butlins. A week of lots of walking with them wanting to get to places quickly so they didn't miss out.
The first bit of learning though is frustratingly slow.

frazzledbutcalm · 13/05/2014 20:53

dc1 immediately. dc2 ok ish. dc3 (aged 10) absolutely naff, can't do it at all! dc4 ok ish. Some just don't have the co

frazzledbutcalm · 13/05/2014 20:53

co-ordination. Dc3 and dc4 find it difficult as they're hypermobile.

BarbaraPalmer · 13/05/2014 20:59

dd2 got a scooter for her 3rd birthday
it took 3 or 4 months to go from scuffling along with one foot pretty much always on the ground to bombing around so I have to jog to keep up

a very smooth practice surface makes a lot of difference too. we used the road rather than the pavement, but live on a street quiet enough to do so.

Only1scoop · 13/05/2014 21:03

Bought dd a scooter for Christmas when she was 2.5 she whizzed off on it straight away!

CharlesRyder · 13/05/2014 21:11

Sometimes I thinks kids are either scooter or balance bike types.

DS rode straight off on his mini micro the day he got it at 2.2 and went confidently onto a sprite (2 wheels) at 3.5. However, he only lifted his feet up off the ground on his balance bike last month at 3.8 and still doesn't like it.

Maybe the reluctant scooters would get on better with bikes?

SingSongSlummy · 13/05/2014 21:18

Oooh Charles I think you're right. Both of mine had it sussed at 2 on the scooter (they're both very tall so this helped) but no luck at all with the balance bike. A tip for those struggling is to tie ribbons around the top front of the scooter pole and pull them along. They seem to get the feel for it then.

CuriosityCola · 13/05/2014 21:22

I think it helps to see an older kid on one. My ds had no interest in his scooter. We then bought him a balance bike for his Christmas. Lots of cousins over to play. Then next day he scooted from one end of the livingroom to the other with ease and hasn't stopped since.

I have actually noticed that some of the kids that are really good on them are actually older than they look.

CuriosityCola · 13/05/2014 21:23

Note: still no interest in the balance bike apart from ringing the bell.

Neverendingnappies · 13/05/2014 21:37

DD1 is 4 and is hopeless on her scooter. it is a mini mirco and she cannot steer it, gets frustrated and i wind up carrying it. DD2 is 2 and can ride it, steer it and loves getting on it and will bomb around the garden or park with no hesitation.

DD1 now has a bike with stabilizers and she is much more confident on it.

edwinbear · 14/05/2014 21:41

DS had one for his 2nd birthday but only really mastered it about 3. DD started snatching her brothers off him and trying to copy just before she turned 2, so she had one for her 2nd birthday. At 2.5 she keeps up with 4.5 ds, but she has had the advantage of being able to watch and copy him I think.

SizzlesSit · 14/05/2014 21:44

DS got one for his 2nd bday. Previously he'd just borrowed other kids ones at the park and straddled it

The day he got his own he whizzed off on it like a pro much to our surprise

He's really fast on it, brilliant round corners but still hasnt mastered the break...his trainers are suffering!

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 14/05/2014 21:45

DS is 5 and couldnt get on with his 2 wheeler so we got him a 3 wheeler and he really took off with it. Now that he's got his confidence with that he's able to go on the 2 wheeler.

DD who is 3, still struggles with the 3 wheeler.

Try the easier to balance ones first and give lots of practice.

Flip

1 2