Teaching young kids to skate - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Buff · 01-02-2009, 12:51 PM

My son, who is three, really wants to skate. I took him last year when he was two. I didn't expect much when he was two, because he was two. This year I really felt that he was going to get the hang of it. He is able to understand my instructions better... so I thought.

I know people teach their kids to skate at a really young age, and their kids do good. Now maybe my kid just isn't ready yet, but I want to make sure it isn't my instructions, or inability to teach (I'm no teacher, thats for sure) that hinders my son's ability to skate.

Is it possible to teach a kid to skate so young or is it just something that they figure out and the skating instructions come later?

Buff · 01-02-2009, 01:01 PM

The scarf is a splendidly great idea... for my back. My back is really tired and weak after taking my son skating this morning. Thanks for the idea.

I think a big problem is that he uses me too much for support that he isn't balanced. If I'm behind him he'll lean back, if I'm in front of him he leans too far forward.

MrMastodonFarm · 01-02-2009, 01:14 PM

I think the chair method, letting the kid hold onto a chair as they glide around, is an approved method by Skate Canada. Or whatever the governing body is called.

For that age, just find a tiny chair?

chris lindberg · 01-02-2009, 01:15 PM

Yup, tiny chair.

ShaolinFlame · 01-02-2009, 01:30 PM

You can also get trainer skates where each skate has two blades. Makes it a lot easier for kids to balance at first. These still around?

alan21 · 01-02-2009, 01:39 PM

Install fear into the little guy... Chase him with a hockey stick! He's gonna learn really fast.

Coach · 01-02-2009, 01:46 PM

I dont know if it was my ex-NHL dad as a teacher, but I learned to skate when i was three....just keep at it I'm sure he'll pick it up. Try making a game of it maybe

flamingchina · 01-02-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

You can also get trainer skates where each skate has two blades. Makes it a lot easier for kids to balance at first. These still around?

A yes bob-skates.
Taught an old girlfriends son how to skate using them...
They're a pretty good option if they're still around.

Flash · 01-02-2009, 04:55 PM

My son is two and we started taking him out this year. He's unsteady, but loves it. We will definitely be trying the scarf though, sounds like a great idea. He can take short little strides by himself, and we haven't really done anything to teach him, he's just caught on by watching everyone else around him.

Numerous people have suggested a chair to help speed the process up, and I've seen a few people with this thing to help, but we haven't used anything like that yet. I think if you keep taking him out that eventually he'll get the hang of it, as long as he likes it.

Buff · 01-02-2009, 05:25 PM

I've heard others say not to use bob skates. I think I've even heard somebody say that it was still just as difficult to teach their kids to skate on regular skates after they've used bob skates.

ResAlien · 01-02-2009, 07:49 PM

I was skating at that age using the time honoured method of freeze the backyard and here's a chair. Regular skates, figured it out pretty quick after eating it a few times. Now if someone can help me figure out how to get my four year old daughter to actually get on the ice instead of trying to get me to carry her, that'd be great.

Funny / stupid: When I took her to the local rink here to learn to skate at 3, I requested a chair and the guy looked at me like I'd just grown a third eye. Had to explain to him why, and he informed me there are now fancy little devices (look like old lady walkers) for kids now. Spoiled little buggers.

showtime · 01-02-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

I dont know if it was my ex-NHL dad as a teacher, but I learned to skate when i was three....just keep at it I'm sure he'll pick it up. Try making a game of it maybe

I dont think Lindsay being ex NHL had anything to do with it. He probably just glared at you and said "Git R Done" and scared you into. I know that woulda worked on me.

I think the scarf is better then the chair. The chair can lead to them leaning to far forward when they are skating.

macker · 01-02-2009, 09:45 PM

My son was a poor skater when he was 3, a little better at 4, and he is a great skater at age 5. I almost found it a waste of time to take him skating when he was 3 as he was basically drapped all over me and I would get quite the work out supporting his weight....The scarf was a great suggestion that I have yet to see or try. My daughter on the other hand is 3 and can skate like the wind and prefers to have no assistance from me at all

Be patient as your son sounds similar to my son when he was 3 and I had my doubts that he would ever catch on also but I am sure he will. You still have time to pull a scarf!

pepper24 · 01-02-2009, 10:49 PM

Try bob-skates and a chair at first. Once your tyke gets a handle of that then progress to skates and a chair.

conroy22 · 01-03-2009, 09:57 PM

I have coached CanSkate with different Figure Skating Clubs for about 6 years now, with ages ranging from 3-10 ish. I have been helping with Lethbridge's KidSkate this year and I teach 3-5 year olds a few times a week. When kids are that young, its either they get it or they don't. One thing I would recommend is to not use bob skates, and I have never given a kid a chair, because they become dependent on them, and as said before, with bob skates they become so used to having their weight spread out over 2 blades, that you almost have to start all over again when they learn with only 1 blade, but that also depends on the skater. As for trying to teach these kids to stand up and be able to skate on their own does take some time. We are half-way through our season and I still have kids that want to hold my hand, can't stand up no matter how many times we remind and show them how, kids that throw temper tantrums because they don't want to be there, but it all depends on how they adapt to skating, as they all learn at different paces.

Proper skating instructions are always important to enforce because if not they cause really bad habits in the future, but with this age group we focus more on correctly standing up, picking their feet up off the ice and not sliding them, pushing from the sides of their blades and not their toes, keeping their arms and head up, and obviously trying to keep them standing and not falling down. I'm sure you're son will pick it up, it just takes some time. Where/Who are you getting instructions from?

Buff · 01-04-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conroy22

I have coached CanSkate with different Figure Skating Clubs for about 6 years now, with ages ranging from 3-10 ish. I have been helping with Lethbridge's KidSkate this year and I teach 3-5 year olds a few times a week. When kids are that young, its either they get it or they don't. One thing I would recommend is to not use bob skates, and I have never given a kid a chair, because they become dependent on them, and as said before, with bob skates they become so used to having their weight spread out over 2 blades, that you almost have to start all over again when they learn with only 1 blade, but that also depends on the skater. As for trying to teach these kids to stand up and be able to skate on their own does take some time. We are half-way through our season and I still have kids that want to hold my hand, can't stand up no matter how many times we remind and show them how, kids that throw temper tantrums because they don't want to be there, but it all depends on how they adapt to skating, as they all learn at different paces.

Proper skating instructions are always important to enforce because if not they cause really bad habits in the future, but with this age group we focus more on correctly standing up, picking their feet up off the ice and not sliding them, pushing from the sides of their blades and not their toes, keeping their arms and head up, and obviously trying to keep them standing and not falling down. I'm sure you're son will pick it up, it just takes some time. Where/Who are you getting instructions from?

I'm just taking him to the public skates whenever I get a chance. I understand that either he'll get it or he doesn't. I just want to make sure that it isn't anything I'm doing or not doing that will hinder him. He was frustrated because he kept falling down, but after a while it was just a game to fall down. The last time I went skating with him I was able to get him up and get him to stand up and move half a foot towards me so its coming. The part that confuses me is he can walk with his skates on like he's an old pro, but the moment we get on the ice he loses all that composure. Would it help to put his skates on him and have him walk around the basement to practice getting balance?

conroy22 · 01-04-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buff

I'm just taking him to the public skates whenever I get a chance. I understand that either he'll get it or he doesn't. I just want to make sure that it isn't anything I'm doing or not doing that will hinder him. He was frustrated because he kept falling down, but after a while it was just a game to fall down. The last time I went skating with him I was able to get him up and get him to stand up and move half a foot towards me so its coming. The part that confuses me is he can walk with his skates on like he's an old pro, but the moment we get on the ice he loses all that composure. Would it help to put his skates on him and have him walk around the basement to practice getting balance?

A have a few tricks that I try with kids who have trouble skating short distances, and it actually helps them improve and try harder. Holding your hand(s) out for them to grab, but then slowly moving backwards right before they grab it, makes them try to walk to your hand, but usually they don't notice you are skating backwards so they keep trying till you let them take your hand. Also, bribing them with candy works, if you buy say a bad of skittles and everytime they can skate a certain distance without falling they get one. You could try getting him to walk around in your basement, but just make sure that he isnt 'walking' in them, but rather marching, so kind of like high knees and stomping his feet down 'like a soldier' I usually tell kids, because walking makes you roll off your toes.

conroy22 · 01-04-2009, 11:00 PM

Also, when your skating with him, what helps alot is if you skate backwards, hold both his hands out, and have him march around with you making sure that he makes noise when his skates hit the ice and that he stands up straight. Just practicing that can slowly improve his confidence and help with his balance.

Konomoose · 01-26-2009, 04:07 PM

I found letting the tots put the skates on in the house and walk around a huge confidence builder. Pulling them on the ice at the end of a teaching session and letting them slide a good distance (via them holding a hockey stick) seem to increase the fun factor and the desire to get out there more. Hot chocolate was also beneficial as well as watching hockey with them.
I have an issue now though that is testing. How do I get my boy to stay out on the ice longer? He seems to give up after only 15 minutes though he appears to be doing well and is the same when his friends are over. I have tried different approaches but at times its futile. I know I can just wait and let it happen but maybe some others have tried something I have not that will be worth trying. We use both the outdoor rink and public skating. He goes to lessons and is better able to carry on but still takes a good deal of time lying around and I know he has more energy then he shows.

Kipper is King · 01-26-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan21

Install fear into the little guy... Chase him with a hockey stick! He's gonna learn really fast.

Ah! The Donald Brasher method of teaching!