Is it time for a two-wheeler, here is a training suggestion

Photograph by StockbyteSummer is almost here and the bikes are coming out. If you are thinking it is time to move your child from a tricycle to a two-wheeler, read on...

Having gone through the fun but often difficult process of teaching my girls how to ride a two-wheel bike, getting them to let go of training wheels is almost as hard as "losing the binky." What if they never had training wheels? The article, "Down With Training Wheels" may be onto something. 

For generations, training wheels have been the standard way of not teaching children how to ride a bike. It’s a time-honored childhood ritual: fumble with wrench, remove tiny wheels, watch child fall on face, repeat.

I am not sure you need to buy a specific balance bike, because you can get a similar effect by removing pedals. The idea of first learning balance before taking on the task of pedaling does sound like a good plan. However, one tool I highly recommend for teaching a child to ride a bike is a bike trainer handle of some kind. It is worth it's weight in gold.

Do you have any suggestions for families working to teach the art of riding a two-wheeler? Add you tips, suggestions or questions in the comment section below.

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

Too much or Too little is true for babies too

I found an interesting study out of the University of Rochester that suggests infants like things that are neither too novel or too complicated, the "Goldilocks Effect."

For years, researchers have explored what types of events most effectively capture babies’ attention. In some situations, infants reliably prefer familiar items, such as a favorite toy; in others, they favor novel objects.

The new study resolves such seeming contradictions. Instead of novelty or familiarity per se, the research shows that babies seek out situations with just the right amount of surprise or complexity.

Read the full article, "Babies zero in on ‘just right’ to learn" and/or the original research study, "The Goldilocks Effect: Human Infants Allocate Attention to Visual Sequences That Are Neither Too Simple Nor Too Complex."

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

A little something for moms

... and everyone else who has raised a child.

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

UCCC LOVES our teachers!

With today being National Teacher Day, part of Teacher Appreciation Week, at UCCC we want to make sure our teachers know just how much we appreciate all they do. They are the reason this is such a great center. They develop wonderful relationships with your children, helping them develop, learn and grow.

Children’s experiences of early relationships shape how they learn to regulate their emotions and their openness to learning.  (PDF)

So while it is only a small gesture, we celebrated our teachers at the end of the day with a little gift to take home and remember that they are loved and appreciated.

 

Don't forget to add your thank you note to the box at the front desk and let your teachers know how much you appreciate them. 

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

Dance Party Photos

The Family Org Dance Party was a ton of fun! View all the photos here.