| Teaching your kid about riding an ATV | | | | rider understands. Don't tell him to shift |
| | | | to a lower gear or a higher gear when you can |
| Your kid's first ATV ride experience may not | | | | actually just tell him to tap the shifter |
| be as easy as you may think it is - even with | | | | down with his toe. Do not try to rush your |
| his great enthusiasm to learn to ride one. | | | | kid in learning how to operate an ATV - take |
| Most ATV parents are eager to pass on the ATV | | | | it one step at a time. It is more important |
| "legacy" to their kids without first finding | | | | that he is able to learn how to ride the ATV |
| out if their kids are interested. Besides | | | | safely first and this alone is a big step in |
| just teaching them to ride, there are other | | | | learning. |
| issues that the parents have to tackle first | | | | |
| - such as the physical, emotional and mental | | | | Whenever your child is making progress - do |
| assessments of your child. | | | | praise him, but never compare him with other |
| | | | kids if the others are making a better |
| First of all, it is really important that | | | | progress than he is. You need to remember |
| your child is interested in ATVs, or at least | | | | that every skill advances in its own pace and |
| is keen in learning to ride on one. If your | | | | that you simply can't rush your child. Never |
| child shows keen interest, you will need to | | | | allow your kid's frustrations upset you while |
| discern if he is physically ready to ride an | | | | you are coaching him - if you see that your |
| ATV. He should be able to at least stand on | | | | kid is struggling, more often than not, it is |
| the footpegs or the floorboards while | | | | best to just take a break. If he does not |
| straddling the seat on the ATV. Your child | | | | get it right the first time, try and try |
| should be able to reach the control levers | | | | again. Bear in mind that each child is |
| comfortably and also have the strength to | | | | different and it is best to work within their |
| operate them. After your child passes the | | | | individual limits and not push them ahead of |
| physical requirements to ride an ATV, you | | | | their own pace. By pushing them too hard, |
| will need to evaluate his ability to | | | | they may lose interest in learning and give |
| comprehend risk - is he able to recognize and | | | | up altogether. |
| reduce risks? True, you may not be able to | | | | |
| get rid of all the risks involved with riding | | | | Even if your child have mastered the skill of |
| an ATV, but with detailed preparation and | | | | riding an ATV, it is best that you be his |
| careful prevention, you will be able to | | | | eyes and ears while he is riding. It is |
| reduce the risks significantly. | | | | difficult for a young rider to recognize |
| | | | everything that goes on around them, so if |
| Once you have determined that your child is | | | | you sense or see danger, you will have to |
| ready to ride on the ATV, you have to start | | | | take action immediately. You should never |
| teaching him from scratch. Remember, | | | | allow your child to ride an ATV all by |
| patience and good communication are 2 great | | | | himself. One of the best ways for you to |
| keys to get your child to understand how the | | | | access his skills is to ride alongside with |
| machine works. Explain to your child what he | | | | him - that way you can also stop and offer |
| needs to do to get the machine going and | | | | advise whenever it is needed and you will |
| stopping. Try to minimize your use of | | | | have more fun riding together that way too! |
| technical jargons that only an adult ATV | | | | |