10 February 2012
Learn to cycle
Confidence is a key developmental area for any child, and one of the scariest but most rewarding skills that helps improve this is learning to ride a bike. Learning to cycle is an essential part of growing up and as such the Leisure Industry and Children’s Activity Specialists have teamed up to create an innovative programme called ‘Balanceability’.
Balanceability is the UK’s first and only accredited ‘learn to cycle’ programme, for children aged three to five years old, which has been gaining pace over the last two years and is available at 20 sites across the UK. The programme’s aim is to develop confidence, spatial awareness, dynamic balance and provide children with the skills to ride a bicycle without stabilisers.
The emphasis of Balanceability is on learning and having fun with each session constructed around games, challenges and new experiences that are proven to achieve desired objectives. The programme uses balance bikes, which are bikes with no pedals that help the child feel more in control of what they are doing. Children use their feet to maintain balance and to push themselves off; the bikes are easy to ride, bags of fun and are perfect for children to develop the confidence and skills to eventually move on to a pedal bike without ever needing stabilisers.
Balanceability has been awarded a prestigious Kitemark by the Professional Development Board for Physical Education so parents can be sure that the activities are in line with Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage age group.
Balanceability is also a proud supporter of the Change4Life campaign and contributes to the latest Government’s ‘Start Active, Stay Active’ policy which lays out new guidelines for increased physical activity for young children. The programme is supported by Olympic Champion cyclist Chris Boardman MBE who said: “Balanceability is the fundamental starting point for children’s cycling and an excellent opportunity to promote active lifestyles at the earliest possible age.”
The Balanceability programme has now cycled its way to your doorstep at One Leisure St Ives. It is in blocks of six weeks and is an opportunity to put a smile on your children’s faces while letting them learn an important skill. The course runs on Mondays and Saturdays. Contact One Leisure on 01480 388500 for dates and times available as booking is essential or visit the website using the link on the right. Bikes and helmets are provided by the centre.