Balanceability and Scootability

Balanceability

Balanceability is an Early Years programme aimed at teaching Reception and year 1 children the skills to ride a pedal bike without using stabilisers. It promotes the fundamental skill of cycling which is balance.

Balanaceability is linked to the Foundation Stage Curriculum and is a two level programme with each level being delivered in 6 sessions of 30mins by a qualified instructor. Throughout the programme children will develop:

• Dynamic and static balance – children will feel more confident on a balance bike due to the ability to place their feet on the floor & also due to the fact that their centre of gravity is lower than on a pedal bike
• Spatial awareness – children will learn to ride safely, with control around others and around obstacles
• Gross motor skills – such as hopping, running, jumping and leaping. These skills will help to build the foundations on which they can build more complex movement patterns in other areas
• Sensory motor skills – movement is a key part of every child’s development and forms a vital part in facilitating exploration and discovery. Children will respond to sight, sound, touch and develop a kinaesthetic awareness during the sessions.

“Learning to ride a bike is one of life’s milestones providing children with their first taste of mobile independence.”

Specific skills covered in the Level 1 course include:

• Manoeuvring the bike by themselves
• Picking it up / putting it down safely
• Mounting and dismounting the bike
• Riding position
• How to stop – using feet and brakes
• Balancing
• Walking, running and jumping on the bike
• Gliding

Training consists of 6 x 30 min sessions with groups of up to 15 children.  There is some flexibility in this though and we can adapt to fit with school timetables and class sizes. All of the equipment is provided and training is delivered outside on the school playground by a trained member of staff.

Scootability

Scootability is a scooter programme aimed at teaching children in Year 1 and 2 how to ride a two wheeled scooter safely and enjoy the freedom and fun that riding a scooter provides. The programme promotes balance, coordination and sensory integration and encourages active travel to and from school.

Following on from the training children should be able to:

• Handle the scooter safely, ride with more confidence, keeping control and understand how and when to use the brake.
• Understand the importance of consideration to pedestrians and remember that people who are walking have priority on the pavement.
• Be more aware of teh hazards they need to look out for e.g. driveways, lamp posts, pedestrians etc..
• Be able to do a simple scooter check and understand the importance of having a scooter in a good working condition
• Know the importance of keeping fit and staying healthy through exercise
• Know why they must stop at roads and wait for their grown up before crossing the road safely together. Remembering always to push their scooter when crossing the road.
• Understand that they must never scoot on the road.

Training consists of 6 x 30 min sessions with groups of up to 15 children.  There is some flexibility in this though and we can adapt to fit with school timetables and class sizes. All of the equipment is provided and training is delivered outside on the school playground by a trained member of staff.

To find out more or to book a course please email us at cmcdonnell@combertonvc.org