A council has banned cycling with stabilisers and pedals from its nurseries in a drive to defeat child obesity.
*checks calendar* No, it's not April 1st.
Feels like it, though.
Dundee City Council health chiefs believe removing stabilisers used by children to learn how to ride a bike will force youngsters to 'use their core' for balance.
They even suggest removing the pedals from the bikes in a move to help children maintain a healthy weight.
/facepalm
Audrey White, from the children and family service at the council, said the new scheme was part of efforts to increase child activity.
Is Audrey a Spartan? Is she going to suggest those toddlers who just can't hack it be left on a hillside for the wolves?
On Thursday, she said: 'This is a new initiative that is working right across every single nursery in our city.
'The policy is we don't allow stabilisers.
'Children learn to use a bike without any stabilisers, without any pedals and when they feel confident, they can move on to standard bikes.'
She said using the core muscles was 'a key fundamental movement', which stabilisers do not allow.
She's bonkers. Seriously,
this is the most pressing concern for the Children & Family Services?
Ms White added that at the heart of their approach there was an attempt to build parent confidence in taking their children on free outdoor activities which would mean youngsters spend less time in front of screens.
And a lot more in A&E...
*wonders if Ms White also holds the Dundee Pilates franchise...*
ReplyDeleteBikes with stabilisers have been discredited as a way of teaching children to ride a bike. They have been found to learn to balance much more quickly by scooting along on a bike with no pedals. Once they have learned to balance, learning to pedal is fairly straightforward. I think that this is probably what this is about.
ReplyDeleteStonyground
Is Dundee Council banning the use of cars by it's staff and introducing a mileage allowance for the use of (stabiliser free) bicycles for it's staff in order to combat obesity amongst the public-teat-sucking occupants of the council buildings? No? Thought not.
ReplyDeletePenseivat
Actually, stabilisers are a bad idea. Sooner or later, the child has to learn to balance. I can't see the benefit of taking off the pedals, though. Using them for propulsion expends energy. Very odd.
ReplyDeleteBalance bikes are much better for children to learn on. Get their balance first and start to pedal later.
ReplyDeleteDunno about that. When I first learned to ride, my father held the saddle as I started to pedal then let go. That was it - balance and pedalling all sorted in about five minutes.
ReplyDelete, my father held the saddle as I started to pedal
ReplyDeleteThat's what worries me most about this; the assumption that teaching small children to ride a bike is the job of trained professionals (also the belief that teaching small children to ride bikes is a GOOD thing) using the approved methods according to whatever doctrines are in fashion atm.
Surely part of being a Dad used to be being pestered by small children to finally remove the stabilizers, although in the case of my own kids they simply got told "You know where the socket set is, you'll probably need a 10mm or 11mm socket and make sure you wipe the tools and put them back properly.NO you mayn't use Daddy's good set....and plasters are in the kitchen drawer"
"Once they have learned to balance, learning to pedal is fairly straightforward. I think that this is probably what this is about."
ReplyDeleteIt's possible, and the anti-obesity bandwagon has just lumbered on board, as is it's wont....
"...in order to combat obesity amongst the public-teat-sucking occupants of the council buildings?"
Heh! If only!
"When I first learned to ride, my father held the saddle as I started to pedal then let go. "
Ditto!
My dad, that is. Not yours. ;)
"... the assumption that teaching small children to ride a bike is the job of trained professionals ..."
Everyone needs a certificate these days. I'm surprised there isn't one for wiping one's own backside.