Tips to get a reluctant toddler wearing their first bike helmet

Some toddlers are very happy to wear their helmet, others are not so compliant and keen. Every child is different and it is useful to understand some options and strategies to use to help your toddler feel comfortable wearing a bike helmet

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A Helmet that is comfortable and they like

There are features about the Bike Helmet than can support helmet wearing for the reluctant toddler:

Weight and shape of the helmet. A light weight helmet that is similar to the shape of head is going to be less of a change

Colour and/or graphics they like. If they love the look of their helmet it is going to be easier to get them to wear their helmet

A bike helmet with a pinch guard It can be a little fiddly getting the chin strap clipped on a toddler. One sure way to put them off wearing their helmet is if you pinch their skin under their chin. Toddler Helmets can come with a pinch guard to prevent this from occurring. Making the skin taught under the chin can also assist with this, so getting them to look up slightly at something may be possible with some toddlers

A helmet that fits. A correctly fitted helmet is vital to protect their head but it also is important so that the helmet is comfortable to wear.

Tips to get your toddler wearing their helmet

Start early. Wearing a helmet is new for your child so introduce your child to their helmet well before you plan their first ride…whether that is on a bike seat or a balance bike or their first pedal bike.

Create interest in the helmet. Touch it. look at it together. Ask questions, talk about it- the colour etc., Play hide and seek with it. Anything that makes them more familiar with the helmet and they don’t have a negative association with the helmet

When you are not focusing on the helmet leave it in a place they can see it so they become familiar with it.

Seeing others wearing a helmet can assist with your childs comfort about wearing a helmet. If you have a bike helmet put your helmet on. Put yours on first. Wear your helmet around the house. Take your child to somewhere where he or she will see other kids wearing a helmet like a kids pump track, show them some photos of kids wearing the helmet ( use the internet)

For the first steps to wearing you are simply trying to place it on their head – do no worry about the buckle at first. If you succeed at this you can then work to them feeling OK about it being on their head for a bit of time and then consider the buckle

For fitting, do it in short sessions. Put it on quick, see what needs adjusting, take it off, make adjustment, try it on again a bit later.

Be patient and do not make your child feel rushed. Every child is different and most will become comfortable about wearing a bike helmet with some gentle facilitation

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