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