Tips on How You Can Encourage Your Child to Always Wear a Helmet Parents often complain they can't get their child to wear a helmet, but it will be a lot easier to get your kids in the helmet habit if you start them early on. When you're teaching them how to ride a bike, even a tricycle, it is easy just to pop them on the seat because you know you're right behind them.
As soon as your child gets their first tricycle or bicycle — even one with training wheels — they should be wearing a helmet. According to the Bicycle Safety Institute (helmets.org), if children learn how to ride while wearing a helmet, they will associate the bike and pavement with the act of wearing a helmet.
From early on, make sure your child understands the tricycle or bicycle is a vehicle and not a toy. Talk to them. Tell them wearing a helmet is necessary to protect them from possible injury or death. It is not necessary to dumb down the safety information because you think your child may not understand the importance of wearing a helmet. Just value your child's intelligence and encourage their questions. Keeping this in mind, take your child to pick out their own helmet. They will feel as if they have a more active role in the decision-making process and may even get excited over the new purchase.
Never underestimate the value of practicing what you preach. If your children see you wear a helmet while riding a bike or inline skating, they will be more inclined to follow suit from a young age. Planning a bicycle outing for the whole family, or even taking your child to a bike race, are great ways to show your children helmets are for all ages. Even just pointing out professional athletes on television can show your child that wearing a helmet isn't just for kids.
As your children grow older, make sure you continue to stress proper bicycle safety and the importance of wearing a helmet. Do not let them ride their bikes without ensuring the helmet is on safely and securely and educate them on what to do if they ever have a bike accident. By taking these steps and safety precautions early on, you will have done your best to ensure your child knows that each time they get on a bike, safety always comes first.
