Many toddlers are full of energy for outdoor play. They spend much time enjoying outdoor activities. As a parent, the best way to do that is by introducing them to scooters. Zooming down the street on a scooter will be a good playtime activity for them. However, not many toddlers find it easy to use scooters.
This comprehensive guide was put together to assist you in teaching your child how to use their toddler scooter for the first time. Learn all the necessary steps and tips you should consider. This will also provide safety tips when practicing and using toddler scooters.
Start With the Right Scooter
Start by making sure that your toddler has the best scooter. Here are some essential factors and tips to consider to do that:
- Weight and Size
Toddlers have smaller bodies and are still developing their motor skills. So, they would need an appropriately sized scooter. At the same time, it should be lightweight enough for them to control and maneuver.
- Height Adjustability
It’s important that the handlebar's height must be adjustable to get the most out of the scooter. This is to accommodate their growth over time.
- Durability and Quality
Different scooters are built differently—with different qualities. Make sure to look for a scooter made with durable materials. It should be able to withstand wear and tear over time, like plastic or metal.
- Safety Features
Check the scooter’s wheels and braking system. The motor skills of toddlers are still developing, so a three-wheeled scooter would be a safer choice for them to use. They would be easier to balance than two-wheeled scooters. They won’t need much coordination skills from your toddler.
Moreover, the scooter should have a rear brake system, so your kid can control their stops. Some additional features include non-slip decks to ensure secure footing and handlebar grips for added comfort.
8 Steps to Teach Your Toddler How to Ride a Scooter
1. Determine Their Dominant Foot
For any aspiring scooter rider, the first step is to determine their dominant foot. The dominant foot will be their main source of power to move the scooter. This will help you structure how you’ll teach them to ride and move later on.
Most people are right-foot dominant, but some are left-foot dominant—nothing’s wrong with that. To determine your kid’s footedness, you can try this method:
- Get your toddler to stand with both feet about shoulder-width apart on a flat ground.
- Make them slowly lean forward, like they’re falling, until they suddenly put one foot out to catch themselves and stop them from falling.
- The foot they use to do that is their dominant foot.
If you think this is too scary for your kid, here’s an alternative:
- Make them stand at the bottom of a flight of stairs with both of their feet flat on the ground.
- Then, make them walk up the stairs.
The foot they choose to move to make their first step is likely their dominant foot. Take note that this test is sometimes slightly less accurate than the “falling” test.
2. Practice Standing and Stance
A toddler’s balance and equilibrium are typically not fully developed yet. So, make sure to introduce things slowly. A great first step is to make them practice getting on and off it. Teach your toddler how to stand on the scooter’s deck, grab the handlebars, and experiment with steering.
At the same time, teach them what their proper stance is. Teach them that their dominant foot will be their pushing foot, so the other foot will remain on the scooter. Also, tell them that the weaker foot must always be at the front of the deck.
3. Teach Them Movements
It’s now time to teach them how to actually use the scooter. Make them do the stance on the scooter with their dominant foot on the ground. Teach them to use that foot to push on the ground to push forward the scooter. Then, ask them to pick up that foot and place it on the scooter as it moves and glides. Once it slows down, make them step the foot back down and push again.
Basically, you just have to stand, push, glide, step back down, and repeat. Don’t get mad and frustrated with them if they don’t get it the first time. If you notice them feeling stressed when practicing, just come back to it later. Remember, this should be a fun activity for them.
4. Make Them Use Brakes
If you think they made progress in riding the scooter, it’s best to teach them how to use the brakes next. Different scooters can have different braking systems. Some can have hand brakes, but most toddler scooters would have foot brakes.
It’s essential that your toddler knows how to stop their scooter. With foot brakes, they only need to apply pressure on the brake at the rear side of the scooter mid-glide with their dominant foot. This might take them a while since it would require them to balance to apply the brakes.
5. Give Them Space, But Start Simple
Once they learn how to get on the scooter, they will likely be more than excited to ride it around. You wouldn’t want to let them do that in a park or a court—not until they get the hang of it and get better.
You can start indoors first. Let them practice on a soft surface, like the carpet or tiles, before you let them on a paved area. This way, you can ensure they won’t seriously get hurt while practicing. But if you want a more outdoor setting, you can use your front driveway instead.
6. Support Them
Since they will likely struggle with riding and balancing the scooter, make sure to support them. It’s best to hold on to their trunk or torso and not on the handlebars of the scooter. This way, you can provide support while still allowing them to have control of the scooter.
You can gradually move this support up to their shoulder or hover your hands just off their back as you run or walk beside them. Ultimately, make sure you stay close enough to catch them in case they lose their balance.
7. Give Them Affirmations
Kids can easily get frustrated and stressed if they realize they can’t use the scooter properly. This is a normal response for kids when trying new things. So, you have to make sure that you’re there for them. Encourage them while practicing. This will help them build confidence.
To make it more fun, you can sit on the ground and pretend to be a roundabout as they scoot around you. Give them positive affirmations while doing so. This will help let them know that they’re doing well.
8. Practice Regularly
Lastly, give them opportunities to practice so they can learn how to do it properly in no time. Remember, repetition is key to mastering anything. Even if it’s only five minutes every day, let your toddler play and ride their scooter.
If you notice that they’re making some progress, you can try more outdoor settings. You can go to a nearby park or basketball court to give them a more realistic scooter experience. This might even help encourage them more.
3 Key Safety Tips to Remember
You have to make sure that your toddler is safe when practicing and riding the scooter. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that:
1. Don’t Forget About Protective Gears
Always make your kid wear a helmet every time they practice and ride. It should cover their forehead, have a snug fit, and have a chin strap securely fastened. This will protect their head in case they fall. Aside from that, make them wear other appropriate safety gear for your child’s safety. These safety gear can protect them from bruises, scrapes, and fractures.
2. Be On the Right Terrain
The small wheels of toddler scooters aren’t suitable for all kinds of terrains. They’re ideal for pavements best, and, if indoors, they’d be good for carpeted or tiled floors. However, never have them use the scooter on a bumpy grassy area or one with loose gravel. The bumps and loose gravel will cause instability when riding the scooter and likely increase the risk of falling and accidents.
3. Always Supervise
Never let or leave your toddler to ride the scooter by themselves. You need to monitor their rides closely and provide guidance as needed. Above all, it's important to keep an eye on them because they're not great at watching out for dangers. When you're around, you can make sure they stay clear of obstacles and other possible dangers.
Conclusion
With the proper guide, teaching a toddler to ride a scooter is simple. But take note that it takes time. Let them practice often and always ensure they're safe. Focus on teaching them how to balance, move, and stop the scooter and supervise them while they do so. With proper guidance, they will be riding their scooter in no time. If you’re looking for accessories and scooter options, you can visit our website www.cuddlebabystuff.com
