Little Stars are Coming!
Close your eyes and imagine twenty preschoolers on balance bikes. Then, all at once, they're scooting around a school gymnasium. It's orderly in a four-year-old kind of way. Now imagine 300 of them! And with that, you get an idea of what's in store with Norte's in-school Balance Bike Club programs.
We don't launch all 300 at once — we're not crazy! Yet, over six weeks this winter, we expect to put that many preschoolers on balance bikes. We only wrapped up fall programs this week, and already the excitement is building.
Balance Bike Club is fertile soil for early childhood development. It develops motor skills, social interaction, spatial awareness, and balance. And, with that many little stars rolling at once, we also teach risk and safety. Additionally, studies show a direct connection between early childhood physical activity and positive impacts on cognitive function and future academic achievement.
Yet, for me, the value of Norte's Balance Bike Club is harder to articulate. The best I can muster is "magic" — adding to the growing list of Norte magic moments.
It's the magic of children — many who don't know pre-pandemic times — laughing, playing, and singing with their peers. It's the magic on their faces when they overcome little daily challenges. And it's the magic of increased confidence and a sense of community built over a program that's only four days long.
These kinds of impacts go beyond simple cycling skills. They're what make Norte programs so special. Our little stars and Balance Bike Club are the start of it all. Winter can't come soon enough.
Let's roll!
Troy DeShano
Education & Program Director
P.S. We are currently taking reservations for in-school balance bike programs. We have limited space and availability. If you're interested for your school, don't hesitate to get in touch with our program team at programs@norteyouthcycling.org today.
