When to put the child on skates?
The most optimal age to start learning is 4-5 years. You can take the first steps on the ice and in 2-3 years, the baby has no fear of falling. But the legs at this time are not yet very stable, and the muscles are not strong, so it is better to wait until later. But 4-5 years is a suitable period. After all, skating, in addition to providing a lot of fun for children, still has a very beneficial effect on the entire children's body - fresh air, load on all muscle groups, good physical preparation, development of coordination and strengthening of the vestibular apparatus.
How to choose skates?
To make skating safe, you first need to know how to properly choose skates for your child:
- Take half a size more to create comfort for riding, or try on a pair of warm socks, in which the kid will be engaged;
- for a young hockey player it is better to take more rigid skates made of plastic to avoid unnecessary injuries, and for a growing figure skater - soft, leather;
- the heel must be fixed firmly;
- the blades must be well sharpened;
- the shorter the blade, the more agile the model, the easier it will be for a child to move on ice;
- if possible, get skates more expensive - so-called thermal, they adjust to the shape of the foot under the influence of temperature;
- for the first time necessarily choose protection for the young figure skater or the hockey player - a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, in order to protect the child from injuries.
The first skates for a child must meet all these requirements. There is, of course, the opinion that the first is better to take skates with two runners, as before. However, it is better and more effective to teach the kid to balance right away on skates with one blade, so that you do not have to retrain later on. Yes, and it's better to take skates with notches and hockey players, and figure skaters, so it will be easier for them to learn to brake.
How to put a child on skates?
First, let him try to stand on the skates at home. This will give the child confidence in their abilities. After all, it is necessary to understand how it is to keep balance.
Before going out on the ice, it is also important to teach the child how to fall right and safely - forward, better on his knees and hands, grouping. And even better - leaning on your side - it's safer, without exposing your hands. Train him to always stand on the ice, leaning forward slightly, and on slightly bent legs - so he avoids falling on his back, with the most dangerous injuries, especially when his head hits the ice.
How to teach a child to skate?
The most important thing is the attitude. Encourage your child, give him faith in their strength, but in any case, do not say "you will get the first time, just get up and go." Failures in this case will disappoint him and will beat off all the desire to ride.
To begin with, you just have to walk on the ice, lifting your legs. Face him, take your hands and ride this way. Let the child understand what it's like to slide on the ice. Keep the case tilted forward, knees bent - this is correct
It's time to learn to slow down. You can stop, putting your foot back, slightly turning it to the side. Another option is to put the foot forward on the heel, lifting the prongs upward. If the child starts alternately pushing his feet - halfway through, you can consolidate the skills.
Most importantly - have patience! After all for children skating on 50% depends on your mood and support!