Down here in the summer it is more comforable to stick your head in a microwave than ride a bile with a helmet.
And yes I agree helmets for small kiddies are a good idea .. saved my kiddies on many occasion
I think we all grew up without bicycle helmets, though I have scars from it. It may be fine for really little kids like yours, but older kids need to learn to think ahead and take care, not rely on some device to keep them safe. I think that like children growing up in a child proofed house they don't develop the proper caution needed to survive in the real world.
So9