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This Little Piggy… Went Biking? Advice for Teaching to Kids
Frank Neal (pictured) has biked across the country, pedaled into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame, and finished the Paris-Brest-Paris. But, despite his many accomplishments as a bicyclist, Frank says he is most proud when giving back to the sport he loves.
A League Cycling Instructor, Frank has presented bicycling safety at bike expos across the country — 12 in this year alone.
While sharing his knowledge with children and adults alike, Frank was approached by an elementary teacher who asked him to talk to the students at her school. This request led Frank to reach out to the League for advice. And we thought other League members might have some insight.
“I am one to get on the floor, sit Indian fashion, and ask the students to gather around,” Frank says. “Does the League have anything that invites the elementary audience to participate? It can be a short rhyme, a five-line song, or anything like this that will be fun, keep them involved, and be a take-away they will remember?”
Like many, the facts that have stuck with me through life were either part of a song or poem – what a great idea for bicycle safety! What ideas or tricks do YOU have for sharing you love of cycling with children? Share in the comments!
Alissa Simcox
League Director of Education
Simcox joined the League in July 2011. For the 5 years prior, she worked with the Congressional Youth Leadership Council and the National Association of Home Builders. She holds a BA in Education and Recreation and Leisure Administration from Florida State University.
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December 5th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
A few summers back I was leading a group of girls on a trail ride. Most of them were not very skilled riders and they would drag their feet on the ground to stop rather than squeeze their brake levers. I started singing the words “Use your brakes; not your feet, use your brakes, not your feet” to the tune of Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” (“You must not know ’bout me, you must not know ’bout me”) The girls got the message and took it to heart to get me to shut up.
Method to my maddness = success!
December 5th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
My only suggestion is simply to involve them and their stories. Elementary school kids know more than you think about biking. Allowing them to participate in the conversation will help the presentation be a memorable one.
Ask them questions, even if you think they won’t be able to answer them. Let them tell you their stories and experiences with biking. That will keep them engaged and they’re likely to remember it. A song or fun tune is a good idea too though!
December 5th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Use your head before your feet.
Look left-right-left before you cross the street.
Early elementary grades need activities, we do the “Chaos Box” without bikes or “Simon Says” for example.
For later elementary grades we use scale models to demonstrate the rules of the road.
For both groups visual aides, video, and real objects enhance the lessons.
http://www.saferoutestoschools.org/curriculum.html
James Bikes Green
LCI, Credentialed Elementary Teacher, Safe Routes to Schools instructor.
December 6th, 2012 at 9:30 am
“Ideas” and “tricks” are fine. But how about data, analysis and evaluation?
What has been *proven* to work when it comes to cycling education for kids? We’ve spent a lot of money of SRTS…So, with all that money spent, what SRTS program elements have been shown to have the biggest (and sustained) positive impact? What does the data say?