Making Playtime Inclusive: ELC’s Adaptive Tricycle

In the world of a preschooler, playtime is everything. And while the Early Learning Center (ELC) has an abundance of toys and equipment to make playtime the best time, there’s one item that is coveted above the rest: the tricycle.

Kids speed around the gym on their three-wheeled racers, giggling and squealing with every turn and near-miss. But as much as they may want to, not everyone is able to join in on the fun. For students with disabilities, riding a regular tricycle isn’t safe, or—in some instances—even possible.

“Many of our students lack the strength, coordination or body control to safely use the typical tricycles—it’s just not a choice for them,” says Katie Ranger, a pediatric physical therapist who works with Washington Township Schools. “I knew an adaptive tricycle would provide them that choice, and give them a safe way to learn and socialize with their peers.”

An adaptive tricycle allows students with physical limitations to safely enjoy the benefits of cycling alongside their peers. The tricycle includes several features that can be adjusted based on the rider’s needs, including safety straps, and seat and handlebar adjustment. A pulley system connected to the pedals helps feet move in tandem, and an extended handlebar allows an adult to assist with steering from behind. 

Pediatric physical therapist Katie Ranger celebrates a student’s successful ride on the adaptive tricycle

“The bar that helps with steering allows the student to feel more independent,” says Ms. Ranger. “Because the person is steering from behind and not right in their line of vision, they can feel more autonomous.”

Because of all these extra, customizable features, an adaptive tricycle costs more than a typical one… a lot more. Thanks to our donors, the Washington Township Schools Foundation was able to provide Ms. Ranger with a grant to purchase an adaptive tricycle for use at the ELC and special education classrooms in elementary schools across the District. It made an impact on students immediately.

“My favorite story is about a friend who has spina bifida,” shares Ms. Ranger. “She had been watching her friends ride the other trikes for a long time, and she couldn’t. After she rode the adaptive tricycle, she told her mom, ‘They have a new bike… and I can ride it, too!’”

While the kids are focused on the fun, there’s more to their cycling than meets the eye. Using an adaptive tricycle helps the rider strengthen muscles and improve balance, coordination and range of motion. There are also academic benefits.

“There’s a lot of research to show that activities that use bilateral coordination, or both sides of the body, can be really good for pre-academic skills, like reading side-to-side,” says Ms. Ranger. “Using the tricycle is wonderful in and of itself, but I also feel like the exercises really help prep them to be students.”

But for Ms. Ranger, the greatest benefit of the adaptive tricycle isn’t the fun or the physical activity or the academic development; it’s the inclusion.

“The adaptive tricycle is one of the few opportunities we have for a movement activity where the students can do something with their peers and they’re all participating together,” says Ms. Ranger. “Our students with physical disabilities don’t have to watch their friends ride and play… now they can, too. And that’s a big, big thing.”

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