Session 2 – Skills Maneuvering

Phase 2A – Training Steps

Before tackling turns and coasting, let’s refine your child’s balance. This phase builds on Session 1 by focusing on posture, control, and using the bike’s momentum to glide longer and more confidently.

• Posture: Encourage your child to sit up straight, keep their head up, and look forward (not down at the ground). This helps them stay balanced and aware of what’s ahead.

• Momentum: Teach them to give gentle pushes with their feet to keep the bike moving. The goal is to glide without touching the ground for longer stretches.

Practice Exercises:

• Straight-Line Gliding: In a flat, open space, have your child glide in a straight line. Start with short glides and work up to longer distances.
• Weaving Through Cones: Set up a few cones (or safe objects) in a line. Have your child weave around them while gliding to improve control and coordination.

Tip: If they wobble, remind them to relax their grip on the handlebars—tensing up makes balancing harder. Cheer them on for every glide, no matter how small!

Phase 2B – Turns

Now it’s time to introduce turns! This phase teaches your child how to steer the bike by leaning into curves and using the handlebars effectively. We’ll start with wide turns and gradually make them sharper.

• Leaning: Show your child how to lean their body slightly in the direction they want to go. This helps the bike turn naturally.

• Handlebars: Teach them to turn the handlebars gently—too much steering can cause wobbles.

• Practice Steps:
  
  1. Wide Turns: Mark a large circle (with chalk or cones) in an open area. Have your child glide around it, leaning slightly into the turn.
  
  
  1. Gradual Sharpening: Slowly shrink the circle as they get comfortable, encouraging sharper turns.
  
  
  1. Figure 8s: Try a figure-8 pattern to practice turning left and right.
  
  

Phase 2C – U Turns

U-turns are a fun challenge that build on turning skills. This phase helps your child master tight turns with control and balance, making them more agile on the bike.

• Control: Emphasize slow, steady movements—speed can make tight turns tricky.

• Balance: Remind them to keep their weight centered and lean into the turn.

• Practice Steps:
  
  1. Start Wide: Begin with a wide U-turn, like a big half-circle.
  
  
  1. Tighten the Turn: Gradually make the U-turn smaller by leaning more and turning the handlebars sharper.
  
  
  1. Add a Challenge: Place two cones about 10 feet apart. Have your child ride between them, making a U-turn at each end.
  
  

Phase 2D – Coasting

Coasting is the next step to full riding! This phase teaches your child to glide smoothly while picking up a little speed, all while staying in control.

• Balance at Speed: Teach them to stay balanced as the bike moves faster. Keep their eyes forward and body relaxed.

• Control: Encourage gentle steering to stay on course, making small adjustments as needed.

• Practice Exercises:
  
  • Gentle Slope Gliding: Find a very slight incline and let your child coast down with their feet off the ground. Start short and increase distance as they gain confidence.
  
  
  • Pedal and Coast: If they’re ready, have them pedal a few times, then lift their feet to coast, feeling the speed with control.