Training Wheels Interface

An interface design pattern that reduces complexity for novice users by hiding or disabling advanced features until they are needed, then gradually revealing them as the user gains competence. Named after the stabilizing wheels on children's bicycles, this approach prevents cognitive overload by limiting the number of options visible at any time. In accessible design, training wheels help users with cognitive disabilities or limited technology experience by presenting a simplified initial interface that expands as familiarity grows. The pattern is distinct from progressive disclosure in that features are explicitly locked rather than merely hidden, signaling their presence while preventing premature interaction.