how do i teach my child to ice skate?

Answer 1

If he's really young, say 2 or 3, get an old light weight chair and let him push that around for a while. Once he learns to balance himself and stand up straight, take the chair away and give him a hockey stick.

Answer 2

I guess the answer in this case is really 'very carefully'

Skates when properly sharpened are dangerous objects, and children at a young age (2-3 as CME mentioned) are prone to falling in many different ways, and can hurt themselves.

I taught my children to skate around the age of 4. They had excellent balance by that time so I felt it was a good place to start.

As CME suggested, get them used to the ice first. Even without skates, the backyard rink is a very slippery space. So, while still in boots, I had my daughter push her toy baby carriage around the ice until I was confident she had balance. After that, I had her on skates, and still had her 'walking' on the ice pushing her carriage. Within a few days I had her gliding on the ice with her carriage, and after a couple of weeks she was a pro. There were still some rough patches as she fell several times, but she was resilient. Skating backwards was not something I taught her however.

Make sure they are bundled up, a little bit of bum padding (trust me - early on they need it), and parental supervision will help your child skate.

Also, may I recommend used skates? Children at that age are still growing and there is no point in spending a fortune on skates that they will grow out of in 3-4 months. Likewise, a new pair that is not broken in could cause some discomfort in a child's foot and discourage them from skating (and cold air can accentuate the discomfort). Used skates have the advantage of being inexpensive and already broken in, and these features can add to your child's comfort.


TOMO
The mask is an awesome idea..........I wish I had thought of that one!

Answer 3

Three things you must do first: 1. Buy your child a properly fitted hockey helmet with a face cage. Spare no expense here - falls at this age are the norm and the ice is comparable in hardness to concrete. Small heads (as are any) are fragile - protect the noggin. 2. Buy a set of used pads (hockey shin, elbow, pants and gloves). You can usually get these from a local hockey organization relatively cheap - protect the parts that will hit the ice often - it'll save on tears and will allow your child to enjoy the experience rather than dread it. 3. Get a pair of 'decent' quality WELL FITTED hockey skates. You don't need to spend $500 on Bauer One 90's for a 3 year old - that's just stupid - but - don't slap a pair of $10 skates on a little one that are 3 sizes too big so they'll 'grow in to them' - skates need to fit properly to allow the child to balance and skate on them. After you've properly outfitted the child - get some ice time. There are some techniques that he'll need to learn, eventually, but, the first step in teaching a child to skate is to allow them to do it! Get them on the ice as often as they wish to go and don't force them in to it. A love of skating is essential to learning skills that will allow the skater to progress. Make it fun - skate with them and enjoy yourselves. Too many parents look at skating like they do Karate or dance - it's not a perfect science nor is it an art form - it is a recreational activity that, once learned, will provide a lifetime of enjoyment if it's taught properly at a young enough age. And, there's no 'perfect' age to teach a child to skate. It depends on when the child is 'ready' to try. Get them on the ice and they'll stay out of 'hot water'.

In ref to the mask - I coach kids, too, and I see way too many first time skaters on the ice wearing bicycle helmets and falling face first on to the ice. The kid freaks, the parents freak - get the right equipment and it will be a lot more fun for everyone. Bike helmets do not beling on an ice rink. The dynamics are way different.

Answer 4

Pay for a couple lessons at a local recreation center if u can.
I learned how to figure skate as a child this way.

Answer 5

you can take ur child to a public skate and take a stick and have both u and ur child holding the stick while he/she pushes you.
hope all go well.

Answer 6

Speaking as an international superstar (my name is torvll and dean) i would highly recommend buying some skates and movng to antartica. There, she will have to skate to school every day. Practise makes perfect!