How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

The mere thought of ice skating can be both exhilarating and frightening to a child. The notion of racing around the rink is often more than tempered by the fear of falling down. Taking the right physical, mental and emotional approach as a sibling or parent teaching a kid how to ice skate is important.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Dress both self and child warmly. The discomfort of being cold on the ice could prevent a child from developing a desire to remain out there long enough to learn or a passion for ice skating.
2. Skating up a storm! Prepare yourself to remain on the ice with the child until he can at least take baby steps with his skates on his own.
3. Hold her hand and begin very slowly. Give immediate encouragement and praise.
4. Make certain the child is able to stay upright on his skates. Prevent him from becoming too dependent on taking steps. Guide him into a gliding motion with his skates.
5. Release the child and allow her to skate on her own without the help of the sideboards, but remain close. If she falls, help her up and encourage her and never criticize. Continue to encourage the young skater.
6. Set up the next session upon completion of the first lesson. Only with practice and consistency will he improve.

Tips & Warnings

• Not everyone enjoys ice skating. Try to get a read on the child's passion for the sport. But don't allow discouragement to get in the way if the child is enjoying the activity.
• Little children whose ankles are too weak to maintain balance on ice skates should wait a while before tackling this sport.