Ice skating is a fun activity…

…that gets kids physically active and teaches them a lifelong skill. Get started teaching your kids with these 5 tips. Teaching a young kid to ice skate is fun for both parent and child. Although most children do not express an interest in ice skating until they are at least three years old, any child who can walk can technically learn to skate. If your child wants to begin learning, be sure to work carefully with them, teaching them both the technique and safety involved in ice skating.

 

Best Ice Skates for Learning to Skate

Dress your child warmly, but correctly.

A jacket, gloves and a helmet. Skip the snow pants; the slick material makes it harder to get up from falls. Stick to one pair of medium socks. Anything thicker and the boot won’t fully tighten. Either figure or hockey skates are fine, but stay away from double runners. They have no edges and slip and slide too much. When you buy skates, always have your child with you to try them on. You want her ankles to be straight up – they’ll be that way on the ice. Lastly, make sure that the blades have been sharpened.

First, teach your child how to fall.

He’s going to do it often. Have him bend his knees, lean to one side and gently go down. To get back up, have him kneel on both knees and, while keeping his back straight, bring one skate up onto the ice and push down on that knee. He’ll pull himself up and bring the other skate onto the ice.

How Young to Teach a Child to Ice Skate? Toddler is the Perfect Age to Teach to Skate

The toddler years present a unique and opportune time to introduce children to the joys of skating. At this age, children are rapidly developing their motor skills, balance, and coordination, which are essential components of skating. Toddlers possess a natural curiosity and eagerness to explore new activities, making it the perfect time to engage them in learning to skate. This fun and physical activity not only enhances their physical abilities but also boosts their confidence and resilience as they learn to navigate and overcome challenges on the ice or at the rink. Furthermore, skating at a young age lays a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of physical activity and can pave the way for future athletic pursuits.

Great Ice Skate Options For Toddlers

Start with little steps.

Lift one foot. Put it down, then lift the other. She’ll get a feel for the blade on the ice and for shifting her weight. Have her hands out in front and pushing down, as if she’s pushing down on a table, to help maintain balance. With confidence, she can start to glide with both blades on the ice. To build up speed when she’s ready, and with knees bent and feet together, have her bring one skate behind her and push off with the inside edge of the blade. During all of this, stand either to her side or in front of her with your hands under her hands. Just avoid taking only one of her hands in the name of assistance. It will throw off her balance.

With increased speed comes the need to stop.

Before you teach any technique, have him stand and, with feet together, have him push out the inside edge of each blade to get a feel of shaving the ice. Once he has that, have him stop by doing a snow plow, bending his knees, bringing his toes together in an inverted V, and pushing down with his hands to maintain balance. After the plow, with his legs together and knees bent, have him put his weight on one leg and have the opposite skate slide out.

Keep your feedback positive, stressing the progress that’s been made.

Keep initial lessons to 25 minutes. Kids’ bodies start to hurt after that point.

16 Places in the Bay Area to Skate

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