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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
My 4 year old (and not trying to brag) excels in pretty much everything he does. He is extremely smart, amazing at soccer, can do lego sets that are ages 7+, etc.
BUT, the one thing he cannot seem to figure out, or want to figure out, is how to peddle. We are going on our 3rd season of him having a tricycle, big wheels and a bike with training wheels and he has no desire to peddle, just wants to be pushed. He is 4 and I feel a big old to be like this. He'll peddle for like 30 seconds, then give up (very unlike him)
Is this normal? How can I encourage this? We've gone to let him pick out his helmet and all.
Any tips, advice?
Thanks!
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Posted 4/17/13 8:57 AM  |
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Onemoretime
LIF Adult
Member since 9/12 1077 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
 it's funny that you say he excels at everything. Just keep practicing, he will get it.
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:43 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by Onemoretime
it's funny that you say he excels at everything. Just keep practicing, he will get it.
hysterical...........thanks for the help
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:44 AM |
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AngnShaun
Sisters
Member since 1/10 21015 total posts
Name:
Ang
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4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
are the pedals too tight for him? maybe hes just not strong enough to turn them... or does he not even try to do it?
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:44 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by AngnShaun
are the pedals too tight for him? maybe hes just not strong enough to turn them... or does he not even try to do it?
thanks for the true real tips/advice
he doesn't really try. How could I loosen them? He's a relatively strong 4 year old.
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:45 AM |
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AngnShaun
Sisters
Member since 1/10 21015 total posts
Name:
Ang
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4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
id bring it to a bike store. it may be something as simple as dw40
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:46 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by AngnShaun
id bring it to a bike store. it may be something as simple as dw40
thanks I'll try it this weekend. But he doesn't even try on his big wheels and its very easy to do. I guess we will keep practicing.
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:47 AM |
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w8andsee
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1193 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
He's fully capable, he just doesn't want to do it. Look, if I had someone pushing me around on my bike and I didn't have to do the work I would let them.
Next time he wants you to push him say no. He may have a melt down, but eventually he'll get it. Also if he's around other adults or kids riding their bikes, he may get motivated to do it on his own.
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:49 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by w8andsee
He's fully capable, he just doesn't want to do it. Look, if I had someone pushing me around on my bike and I didn't have to do the work I would let them.
Next time he wants you to push him say no. He may have a melt down, but eventually he'll get it. Also if he's around other adults or kids riding their bikes, he may get motivated to do it on his own.
Trust me, we don't push he, so he just gets off and walks his bike. I wish we were around kids his age who do ride his bike. In our area they are much older (like 8 and up). Maybe I'll bring it to the park or something and hope other kids are there. Thanks
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| Posted 4/17/13 9:51 AM |
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ohbaby08
Winter is Coming
Member since 10/07 1718 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
From what I'm reading, most kids should have mastered pedaling by around age 3. My son has had a tricycle since a little before he was 3 and has been pedaling it fairly easily from the beginning. Not sure if that is the norm, but I would think your son should be doing it by 4 if this is the 3rd season that he has the bike.
Maybe try running with him down the block to encourage him to keep pedaling. Or try giving him a destination. If you have a park nearby, try having him ride to the park while you walk alongside him.
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:05 AM |
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w8andsee
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1193 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Also here is a link to proper seat height. Hopefully that can help too.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/357569-proper-seat-height-for-bikes-for-kids/
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:13 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by ohbaby08
From what I'm reading, most kids should have mastered pedaling by around age 3. My son has had a tricycle since a little before he was 3 and has been pedaling it fairly easily from the beginning. Not sure if that is the norm, but I would think your son should be doing it by 4 if this is the 3rd season that he has the bike.
Maybe try running with him down the block to encourage him to keep pedaling. Or try giving him a destination. If you have a park nearby, try having him ride to the park while you walk alongside him.
thanks, I'm extremely concerned, but I'll take him out again this weekend and keep practicing.
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:14 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
I think at this point you do need to figure out if he CAN pedal and is choosing not to. The skills involved in pedaling are developmental - the ped asked at my kids 2.5 yr visit and again at 3 if they could pedal. I would take him to the bike section of TRU and let him try the bikes to see if he can pedal any of them. If not, I would ask your ped about it or maybe his teacher. It could mean nothing but, it could also be something. I also think the fact that he excels at many things is irrelevant to this issue honestly. From what I have seen, a child can be amazing at many things and still have issues with others. Hope you figure it out! Good luck!
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:15 AM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by Onemoretime
it's funny that you say he excels at everything. Just keep practicing, he will get it.
Really?
Anyway.....my son is very similar to yours. And in my house, he's just stubborn and wants to do what he wants when HE wants to - He couldn't care less if you tell him 'the big boys are doing this' or even if he SEES other kids doing it - He can physically pedal his bike, but he's afraid of falling off so he prefers the tricycle or scooter.
Encourage your son to ride the bike b/c pedaling 'down' on the higher bike is easier than pedaling 'across' on the tricycle or hotwheel - If he does it for 30 seconds, then he CAN do it - he just doesn't want to. I wouldn't worry .....maybe he just isn't that interested yet.
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:32 AM |
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NextChapter
LIF Infant
Member since 12/06 369 total posts
Name:
L
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4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
It's funny you bring this up because my DS is 3 and was having trouble with the tricycle so just I got him a regular bike with training wheels hoping that would help, but so far it hasn't. He doesn't seem to have the strength / get the concept / have the inclination yet. I have been trying to practice pedaling motions with our hands and our feet together and even that he struggles with. I have been trying to show him other kids riding their bikes so he could see it. Nothing has worked yet. I keep saying "i don't know how to teach him." Not that any of this is helpful, just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:38 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by NextChapter
It's funny you bring this up because my DS is 3 and was having trouble with the tricycle so just I got him a regular bike with training wheels hoping that would help, but so far it hasn't. He doesn't seem to have the strength / get the concept / have the inclination yet. I have been trying to practice pedaling motions with our hands and our feet together and even that he struggles with. I have been trying to show him other kids riding their bikes so he could see it. Nothing has worked yet. I keep saying "i don't know how to teach him." Not that any of this is helpful, just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
thanks!! I think I needed to hear this. I will continue to take him out on the weekends to "practice" if he is willing. I think he "can" do it, but doesn't want to which is so frustrating because the kid LOVES being outside, loves running, etc.
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:39 AM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
My DD has just mastered pedaling - she's 5. She's had bicycles and tricycles for as long as I can remember. Pretty much since she was 2 I guess, but she never really could pedal herself. Her current bike is a 2 wheeler with training wheels and she's had it a year but she really struggled with it last year so we waited. Now she's a pro - but she talks so much she forgets to pedal occasionally. 
My DS is nearly 3. He has the tiniest 2-wheeler with training wheels I've ever seen and when I tell him to pedal he refuses. He'll push with his feet or just get off it. And he's certainly strong enough... he's a brute!
I've never worried about it. I didn't even know this was a milestone. I figured they'd get it eventually, and with my DD this has proven true!
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:48 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
My daughter will be 4 in september.She cant do it either.
I was concerned last year when her friends were doing it already on the big wheel.
I also thinks she just really isnt "into" the bike yet.. Recently, she does it for one spin and stops. Starts to go backwards. She gives up, gets frustrated. Yells "I cant do it!"
We are temporarily living on a block with more kids. They bike ride, have scooters.
She is more into it now. She wanted a scooter, I got her that. she isnt really into that either that much. LOL
She'd rather walk or go to a playground. Maybe next year, they will be more into bikes 
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| Posted 4/17/13 10:48 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
DS got his first bike with training wheels last summer when he was 3.5. He was either not interested or peddled backwards. I thought something was wrong with him.
He just turned 4 two weeks ago. He rides his bike everyday now and flies up and down hills. I would not worry.
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| Posted 4/17/13 11:26 AM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
AJ will be 5 in August and she's just not getting the hang of it... frankly I figured WHO CARES?! I mean all those 'should be here' and 'should be there' is just maddening. Its not like she'll never ride a bike and if she doesn't its not the end of the world (to me).
She randomly explained multiplication and division to me on the way home from the grocery store. totally random, probably not going to happen again but she KNOWS that 2 hotdogs 'divided' into half will create 4 hot dogs she can eat. And if you gave her 3 she'd get 6.
Pedalling a bike or swimming are very low on my "can she do this yet" radar.
I say if it really bothers you (like AJ refusing to say 13 does for me) then practice practice practice... be patient. and it will come.
My kid is no genius.
She's not super advanced
She's pretty ordinary
She's nothing compared to those boast her
I'm sure she does stuff better than other kids
I'm sure others do things better than her
But she's happy.
Nothing comes especially easy (per se) We actually have to put effort into all new skills. What harm is there in that?
ETA: I never knew nor cared to know what she should or shouldn't be doing at age 3 or 4 and can't see myself printing out a list for 5 anytime soon. Shame on me, I guess
Message edited 4/17/2013 11:54:23 AM.
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| Posted 4/17/13 11:53 AM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by MarisaK
Posted by Onemoretime
it's funny that you say he excels at everything. Just keep practicing, he will get it.
Really?
Anyway.....my son is very similar to yours. And in my house, he's just stubborn and wants to do what he wants when HE wants to - He couldn't care less if you tell him 'the big boys are doing this' or even if he SEES other kids doing it - He can physically pedal his bike, but he's afraid of falling off so he prefers the tricycle or scooter.
Encourage your son to ride the bike b/c pedaling 'down' on the higher bike is easier than pedaling 'across' on the tricycle or hotwheel - If he does it for 30 seconds, then he CAN do it - he just doesn't want to. I wouldn't worry .....maybe he just isn't that interested yet.
This is exactly my 4.5 yr old DD. She doesn't care what everyone else is doing, she does things in her own time. But also, like you mentioned, my DD can also pedal but she's terrified of tipping over or falling off the bike so she quickly gives up and runs to the easy tricycles and scooters. For her, it's mostly fear that keeps her from riding a bike.
OP......is it possible he's just scared too? It's intimidating to learn to ride a bike on your own. I wouldn't worry too much, he will get it eventually. I even remember when I was a kid, I was scared of riding a bike on my own, it took a while but I got it at some point. Your LO will too. 
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| Posted 4/17/13 12:17 PM |
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neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
My DS is 4.5 and still doesn't completely get the peddling action. He is only now starting to really understand that it is a circular motion. We just keep pushing him so he gets a running start, then he continues peddling. I think getting the bike going is the hardest part.
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| Posted 4/17/13 12:18 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by neener1211
My DS is 4.5 and still doesn't completely get the peddling action. He is only now starting to really understand that it is a circular motion. We just keep pushing him so he gets a running start, then he continues peddling. I think getting the bike going is the hardest part.
ditto for Frankie! Word for word!
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| Posted 4/17/13 12:32 PM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by neener1211
My DS is 4.5 and still doesn't completely get the peddling action. He is only now starting to really understand that it is a circular motion. We just keep pushing him so he gets a running start, then he continues peddling. I think getting the bike going is the hardest part.
ditto for Frankie! Word for word!
thanks so much!!
Man, I haven't been on LIF in forever and some of the "aggressiveness" I'm experiencing reminds me of why I stayed away. Whew, knew my true friends would understand. Didn't think I'd get almost attacked in a way for wanting to know if my child was on par for not wanting to peddle.
Thank you to all who gave advice or support
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| Posted 4/17/13 1:59 PM |
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Re: 4 year old still not peddling, is he behind?
Posted by kerrycec03
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by neener1211
My DS is 4.5 and still doesn't completely get the peddling action. He is only now starting to really understand that it is a circular motion. We just keep pushing him so he gets a running start, then he continues peddling. I think getting the bike going is the hardest part.
ditto for Frankie! Word for word!
thanks so much!!
Man, I haven't been on LIF in forever and some of the "aggressiveness" I'm experiencing reminds me of why I stayed away. Whew, knew my true friends would understand. Didn't think I'd get almost attacked in a way for wanting to know if my child was on par for not wanting to peddle.
Thank you to all who gave advice or support
I don't understand why people are giving you such an attitude. I took your comment to mean that you do not have concern about your son's development in other areas and he can do other physical things. Anyway, DS peddled on his tricylce and on some toys at school but when we switched to the bicycle he didn't get it for a while. I think that if you want to give it a good shot, keep him on the same bicycle every time at the beginning. We'd go back to the tricycle and I don't think that was good. Also, maybe he just likes it where he is and doesn't want the bicycle to move somewhere.
Message edited 4/23/2013 1:42:42 AM.
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| Posted 4/23/13 1:41 AM |
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