Strider Bikes

Product Description

Physical 2

Skills

• Riding the Strider Bike can help promote body symmetry which relates to the relationship between balance and movement. Through riding, children can gain experience and confidence in reciprocal and/or simultaneous bilateral coordination.
• Reciprocal leg movements used in walking is used to begin to ride the Strider Bike. On the Strider Bike, children learn balance and coordination needed to ride a traditional bike.
• Motor planning skills are used as children learn how to pick up, get on and off and maneuver the Strider Bike.

Play Ideas

• Create balance activities on the ground before getting on the Strider Bike. This will help children practice their stationary balance skills before putting them in motion.
• Draw two lines in chalk on the sidewalk. Have the child use his feet to propel forward, gaining speed. When he reaches the second line, have him pick up his feet to coast.
• To help increase core strength, have a child ride up hill. This requires strength from a child’s arms and abdominal muscles.

Sensory 3

Skills

• On the Strider Bike, children learn balance and coordination needed to ride a traditional bike.
• Balance reaction skills are developed as children ride the Strider Bike. To ride the Strider Bike, children process sensory information from their joints, eyes and muscles and react to unbalanced control to restore balance.
• The gradual control and increased balance a child develops on the Strider Bike also builds confidence in movement and motivation to further progress their motor abilities. 

Play Ideas

• Ride on different surfaces to experience different sensory stimulation. Some suggestions are: pavement, grass, dirt, flat surfaces, hilly areas, cobblestone and gravel.
• Draw a line in chalk on the sidewalk. Have the child follow that line. Then draw a large circle to have the child ride around. Lastly, draw a figure eight and have the child follow that line. This helps children work on vestibular activities as well as balance and steering.

Adaptation Ideas

• For a child with visual impairments, use the Strider Bike on a sidewalk with grass on both sides. Make sure there are no obstacles in a child’s way. Feel the forward movement, but remain in control with feet, not pedals

Social/Emotional 3

Skills

• Patience is supported as children learn how to balance and ride the Strider Bike.
• Kids can ride their bike independently or with others.
• Confidence and self-esteem are promoted as kids gain a sense of independence on the Strider Bike. 

Play Ideas

• Draw with chalk on the driveway to follow paths on the Strider bike.
• Create a race course like a duathlon or triathlon with the Strider bike being part of the course.
• Decorate the Strider bike to personalize it with stickers, name plate, etc.