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