How to Teach Kids to Use Ice Skates
Teaching kids how to ice skate should be a fun experience for both the child and the parent. It is a good idea to take a child to an ice skating rink to learn, instead of to a frozen pond that does not have a level surface. If the parent does not know how to skate, most rinks have lessons available that will teach the child proper skating techniques.
- Shop for a pair of ice skates for your child. Go to a local sporting goods store to find your child the right skates. Take your child with you to the store so you can make sure the ice skates fit properly. Pick a pair of skates that are made especially for kids or novice skaters and not a pair that just happens to be the right size or on sale.
- Buy safety equipment to protect your child from injury. Ask a salesperson at the sporting goods store to help you find the right safety gear for your child. The main items to buy to protect your child from a skating injury are a helmet, elbow pads and knees pads.
- Choose the clothing for your child to wear to the skating rink. Pick out clothing that is warm, so your child can enjoy learning to skate without being too cold. You may also want to have your child wear a ski hat, a scarf and a pair of warm gloves or mittens to the skating rink.
- Start skating with your child on the ice. Go slowly and hold your child’s hand. Help your child learn how to properly balance on the ice. You may want to stand facing your child when you first start, so you can skate backwards while your child learns to move forward on the skates.
- Let go of your child’s hand after skating for a few minutes. Stay behind your child so you can provide verbal support. Help your child up after a fall and make sure to stay close by for the first few times that your child skates on the ice.