What activity is fun while also helping to improve children's motor skills and cognitive ability? You guessed it: cycling. The UN has declared June 3rd as World Bicycle Day, making it the perfect time to pay a small tribute to this toy that has become a lifestyle for young and old. Injusa, a company dedicated to manufacturing 100% made-in-Spain toys, states that after lockdown, many parents have opted for bicycles as the star toy for their children's outings. It provides them with that extra mobility they so desperately needed while facilitating individual outdoor play.
Injusa states that it is advisable for children to learn to ride a bike progressively, adapting the toy to the child's developmental stage. It is recommended that the youngest children start their activities on balance bikes, which will allow them to develop coordination and balance naturally and progressively. Once this phase is mastered, they can learn to handle the pedals smoothly with the help of training wheels, which can then be removed once they have acquired the necessary handling and balance. Riding a bike reduces childhood anxiety, making it ideal for this post-lockdown period when children have been more anxious. It also helps them gain greater autonomy, independence, and resilience. Similarly, Injusa points out that this toy is specifically designed for children to acquire healthy habits, both in sports and in environmental awareness. They will be internalizing a way of moving that is healthy and respectful of their surroundings, acquiring skills that they can continue to develop throughout their lives.
As Albert Einstein said, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." Happy Bicycle Day. Let's keep pedaling for the good of the little ones, for the good of all.
