At around age two, your toddler might be getting tired of the ride-ons and wagons, and may want some wheels they can control themselves.
Guess what? It’s time to try the tricycle.
A very small minority of munchkins may be scared to ride a three-wheeler, but most at this age will be eager and fearless. Shawna DiFilippo, coordinator of programs at Safe Kids Canada, says that young children tend to lack any sense of danger because their cognitive skills are still being developed.
“That’s why you might see a child run into the road without considering surrounding traffic, or lean in toward a backyard pool without considering the risk of falling in.” Over time, a child’s sense of danger and risk develops, but is not more fully formed until they’re around nine years old. That’s why parents need to be über careful when it comes to tricycle riding. Here are some guidelines to make sure your little one stays out of harm while learning to ride her first trike.
CHOOSING A TRICYCLE
Valerie Lee, executive director of the Infant and Toddler Safety Association (ITSA) warns that tricycle manufacturers have no safety standards by which to abide, so it’s up to parents to ensure that their children have safe and sturdy trikes. Steel-bodied are always stronger than plastic, and parents should avoid open spokes. If yours has open spokes, don’t let your kids wear baggy clothing while riding. Don’t even think about penny pinching by buying a too-big trike for your child to grow into. “If he can’t reach the pedals easily, it’s not safe,” explains Lee.
TODDLER HELMETS
DiFilippo stresses the importance of always wearing a properly fitted, CSA-(Canadian Standards Association) or CPSC- (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved helmet. Children under five need special toddler helmets to provide additional protection to their necks, which are particularly fragile. And helmets don’t last forever — they need to be replaced if they’ve been through an accident or if they’ve been hanging around for more than five years.
THE RIDE
This age is a great time to start teaching your little ones safety habits including the importance of wearing a helmet and being aware of traffic. Once you get your child onto the tricycle and they’re rolling, keep these pointers in mind:
Although it’s uncommon for this age group, an apprehensive toddler shouldn’t be pushed into riding if they’re not ready, says Lee. Some of her pointers for the standoffish tot:
Photo by Stacey Brandford
