What do I need to teach my child about riding slowly to develop balance and coordination?

So your child can now stop quickly with control, but can they do the opposite? Can your child ride very slowly without putting their feet down? This is a great thing for them to practice to help them develop their balance and coordination, and you can frame this as a fun “slow race” where they have to ride as slowly as possible! One way they can practice this is by riding in a straight line through gliding with their front pedal in the “pedal ready” position while gently using both brakes. As they do this, they can then tap and lift up on the pedals (with their front pedal quickly alternating between the 1 and 3 o’clock positions). Looking straight ahead as they do this will help them balance. This exercise will help them add another helpful technique to their riding: Being able to stop with their pedal already in the “ready position."

Another technique for riding very slowly is for your child to pedal gently and continuously at the same time as softly applying both brakes.

Another fun game for practicing these slow riding techniques is to ask your child to ride inside a small area that gets progressively smaller without putting their feet down. How long can they ride in this small area without putting a foot down?

Remember to demonstrate these techniques to your child so they understand the technique before they attempt it themselves.

Riding Slowly to Develop Balance and Coordination

Unii’s Learning to Cycle Journey shares how to teach riding to promote balance and coordination.