Do kids learn things at a later age today (or not at all)?

[John105]

My example is my son is 10. And he didn't learn to ride a bike until this summer. I say it's my fault and I was worried, because I know I learned at 5 and I was thinking that I learned to ski at 12, and I never to this day caught up to my buddies who started at 4.

Luckily, my wife taught my son to ride his bike in 2 days. When I mentioned this to coworkers and friends, I was astounded to learn that many of their kids are either almost the same age, or older, and do not ride a bike. And the parents are not concerned.

I have found that some kids don't swim, don't ice skate, don't do a lot of things that were normal when I was growing up. I don't think there is any one reason but I have a sneaking suspicion about electronics.

With the bike thing, I do think the pandemic was a factor, but it is not really "the" reason. My coworker just this week said he "dropped the ball" as both kids were supposed to learn to skate and ride a bike this year, but he hasn't taken them (they are like 6 and 4 so imho not a huge deal).

Could it be the trend is also to be "expert" on one thing, and not all? I do still think that kids have the potential to learn faster than an adult. Another example with my son is that he learned to ice skate in only 4 sessions.

 

[Boomer]

I think you hit it on the head with electronics. I made sure both my grandsons got a deer at age 9 and went on a guided fishing trip at age 10 where they caught some really large fish, This hooked the older one on hunting big time. It takes more than just the parents these days to help with all of this learning of skills.

 

[97K15004WD]

Riding a bike as a kid was a necessary way to get around and see your friends, meet new ones, and generally have a "life". Now, it's tightly scripted with after-school activities, planned weekends, and being driven everywhere. Also, talking with your friends necessitated being in person, as cell phones were not around and parents didn't want the kids in the house or on the kitchen wall phone tying up the line - you know, in case there was an important call coming in since there was no call waiting or voice mail.

 

[RooflessVW]

I'm 36 and my kids are 11, 7, and 5.

They can all ride bikes.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

I don't see needing to know how to ride a bike as a necessity like it once was. Good to know how, sure, but it's not that important anymore.

That said, learning and knowing how to swim sure is. That could save your life someday.

 

[JHZR2]

No not normal imo.

My 11yo and all friends ride bikes. They go all over town together on them.

My 7yo does too. More tightly controlled but that’s because of a younger age.

Both swim all four strokes. They routinely socialize with friends at the pool.

Pandemic is a bad excuse for biking. We put far more miles on the bikes during than we did before or after. It’s actually one of my favorite memories of the time. Pools, ice skating, etc. is maybe legit.

Ski and skating has been tough the last few years in our area because of warm winters. But our oldest can ski.

I think it’s about the will of the parents to get their kids to do certain things.

 

[SC Maintenance]

My kids learned to swim at like 3 years old, and ride a bike a couple years later.

They also learned to click a mouse during the same period, so the "electronics" thing is a cop out.

Its simply bad parenting, IMHO.

 

[wpod]

I guess it depends what the kids are introduced to. My kids learned to swim almost instantly, ride Horses bikes drive a boat ,ATV ,. tractor Snow ski, water ski ,camp , fish and other things. My Dad would have them sit on his lap and steer the car, Dad did the same well. I was little as well. Both kids are computer lovers as well

 

[John105]

My kids learned to swim at like 3 years old, and ride a bike a couple years later.

They also learned to click a mouse during the same period, so the "electronics" thing is a cop out.

Its simply bad parenting, IMHO.

Thanks. The one thing always felt was looming on this forum, were people waiting to pounce

 

[John105]

I guess it depends what the kids are introduced to. They learned to swim almost instantly, ride Horses Bikes drive a boat ,ATV ,. tractor Snow ski, water ski ,camp , fish and other things. My Dad would have them sit on his lap and steer the car, Dad did the same well. I was little as well. Both kids are computer lovers as well

Did you ever feel the just because I was able to, and my dad was able to, and his dad was able to, it may not work in 2024....I mean colleges I didn't really consider when I graduated, now have a 13% acceptance, and the ones I did, ~4%. I've been around and can't help but feel it's harder to do the same. So the kid is a black belt in karate and learned to swim at 3 (mine), but, wake up and he's 10 and can't ride a bike, and even though he skated at 2, he started all over again at 9. Some will judge and say man up, why are you complaining on a forum to people you don't know. Well, I'm not, just sharing lol

 

[John105]

No not normal imo.

My 11yo and all friends ride bikes. They go all over town together on them.

My 7yo does too. More tightly controlled but that’s because of a younger age.

Both swim all four strokes. They routinely socialize with friends at the pool.

Pandemic is a bad excuse for biking. We put far more miles on the bikes during than we did before or after. It’s actually one of my favorite memories of the time. Pools, ice skating, etc. is maybe legit.

Ski and skating has been tough the last few years in our area because of warm winters. But our oldest can ski.

I think it’s about the will of the parents to get their kids to do certain things.

When I compare skiing now to when I grew up, I do consider myself fortunate. I learned at Killington, VT. Went every weekend in 10th, 11th, 12th grades. I actually don't have the means to provide that to my own son, unfortunately. And like many things, it's a luxury. I get sticker shock when I see the price on almost any gear today--$300 for hockey sticks, $1000 for skates, it's as if used prices are what in my mind I'd think new would be

 

[eljefino]

My kids can ride bikes and learned at the normal 5-6 years. The issue is we don't have many safe suburban streets for them to ride on, nor destinations for them to ride to. Car drivers are worse than 30 years ago (phones) and even riding a motorcycle that's keeping up speed in the same traffic lane can be terrifying.

So I'm ok with my kids not really going anywhere, unless we pile the bikes in the truck and go to a rail trail or something.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I don’t think it’s normal. My kids could all ride by 4 and my youngest is currently 5 and he rips on an electric dirtbike. Our driveway and street is very hilly so not as much chance to pedal around without loading bikes up and going somewhere.

Most of our friends have a similar situation with their kids at 4-5. One kid down the street just started 6th grade and learned to ride a few weeks ago, though.

 

[John105]

I don’t think it’s normal. My kids could all ride by 4 and my youngest is currently 5 and he rips on an electric dirtbike. Our driveway and street is very hilly so not as much chance to pedal around without loading bikes up and going somewhere.

Most of our friends have a similar situation with their kids at 4-5. One kid down the street just started 6th grade and learned to ride a few weeks ago, though.

Another curious question, not judging...how long did it take for them to learn? I've seen really little kids on bikes that sort of bounce back and forth, which we didn't have, we had training wheels. I do remember my dad taking them off of my 20" bike and yelling for me to keep going (in joy).

I noticed that with my son at 10, he didn't need training wheels, he simply was able to ride after 2 sessions with the wife. I like to think that sharing info could help others out there. there are times I really hate the fact that I have to work in an office, I'd probably have more time at home if I were remote (5/7 on my team are). I shouldn't have said probably my coworkers spend at least 35% or more on home life on the clock

p.s. hats off to the wife since they're both off for the summer, she's had days where he biked, went to the rink, and did karate, then swam. All in one day. If for me? He would have done 0 of the 4 activities. Time when working and commuting, is just one of those Cats in the cradle deals.

 

[John Galt]

I was one of 4 kids. My mom had a weekend rule so she could get the house spiffed up, wash and wax the floors and probably just relax from the roughhousing 3 boys brought into the house: we were all out of the house by 8am and except if we wanted to have lunch we were not allowed back in until 5pm or when she rang the dinner bell. We were free range kids before it was a thing. Riding bikes, swimming in the local lake and river, fishing, ice skating, sledding building a snow fort, and just plane being with friends outdoors was expected.

It is different now, parents are afraid to let the kid out of their sight and drive them everywhere and chaperone all outside experience. But to be fair, these kids nowadays can code and have skills with electronics that we did not have.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Thanks. The one thing always felt was looming on this forum, were people waiting to pounce

Unsure if that is a slight or agreement?

Either way, basic life skills as you have said are easy to learn as a child, and can be used a lifetime. Swimming as mentioned can save your life. Cycling is useful and can be used almost anywhere on earth and takes a short time to learn as a child, and you truly never forget.

OTOH, my kids know how to ice skate but I understand why many don't - there are like 3 public ice rinks in the entire state. My kids never learned to ski but I suppose its not too late?

We also taught our kids how to cook basic meals from scratch. Nothing fancy, but I know lots of adults that don't know how to cook unless its pre-made from the freezer section.

 

[JHZR2]

Another curious question, not judging...how long did it take for them to learn? I've seen really little kids on bikes that sort of bounce back and forth, which we didn't have, we had training wheels. I do remember my dad taking them off of my 20" bike and yelling for me to keep going (in joy).

I noticed that with my son at 10, he didn't need training wheels, he simply was able to ride after 2 sessions with the wife. I like to think that sharing info could help others out there. there are times I really hate the fact that I have to work in an office, I'd probably have more time at home if I were remote (5/7 on my team are). I shouldn't have said probably my coworkers spend at least 35% or more on home life on the clock

p.s. hats off to the wife since they're both off for the summer, she's had days where he biked, went to the rink, and did karate, then swam. All in one day. If for me? He would have done 0 of the 4 activities. Time when working and commuting, is just one of those Cats in the cradle deals.

We had a pedal-less bike that the kids would use from around 2. Just on the sidewalk or driveway, or at the park. Then they would graduate to training wheels 3-4ish years old, and by 4-5 they’d do a real bike. Usually a few sessions without training wheels was all it took.

 

[John Galt]

Well the title of this thread made me think back about 10 years ago when I was helping my neighbor fix up his front porch railings. He was not very handy but willing to learn and it was a two person job. During the day we were working my neighbors son, about 14 the time, was asked to help out.

I needed a hammer and had brought one over in my took kit. I asked the son to get me my hammer and a few minutes later I saw the son tapping his dad on the shoulder and holding up my hammer he whisper to his dad if this thing was a hammer? At 14 he didn’t know what a hammer was. That’s when it hit me how far today’s kids are from my childhood experiences.

 

[jhellwig]

Maybe if the parents of the bad parents hadn't gutted towns that could be ridden around and navigated by a kid they would still ride bikes. Kinda hard to ride a bike out of a habitrail suburb with no sidewalks, across a 6 lane road with no side walks and a bunch of self important idiots on their phones to get to the Walmart where they get smashed in the parking lot by a jacked up pickup truck that never goes off pavement.

 

[John105]

We had a pedal-less bike that the kids would use from around 2. Just on the sidewalk or driveway, or at the park. Then they would graduate to training wheels 3-4ish years old, and by 4-5 they’d do a real bike. Usually a few sessions without training wheels was all it took.

Nice…when my wife and I have seen little kids on those pedal less bikes, we has thought we should have gotten one. Not knowing I thought it replaced training wheels…