You cannot stear the front wheel with the pole. However, I just use it as a lever and lift the front wheel up to get it to go where I want. And at the same time, I tell my son to turn the wheel. Its kinda fun, cause he's learning what turn means and left vs. right.

Yes they do. However the child will soon understand that pedaling is part of the experience.

My 2 yo son weighs 41 pounds and is almost 38 inches tall and we have no problem with him and this trike.

My two-year-old is 36" tall (she just got measured at the doctor). She can reach the pedals with the seat in its lowest position, but steering and keeping her feet on the outside pedal is a stretch. She can also reach the ground to push herself that way. I would imagine that any child shorter than 3 ft. would have trouble pedaling and steering.