In principle, you can put your baby on skates as early as 1.5-2 years old: the younger the child, the easier motor skills are for him. However, not all children are ready for such a load; not all have sufficiently developed muscles of the legs, abdominals and back.

If you are not confident in the strength of your child, do not rush. It’s better to work out with him at home and on the street with simple exercises such as goose steps, squats, jumps on one and two legs.

Olympic method

Have you already bought your skates and is your little one looking forward to getting on the ice? But first you need to get used to the new equipment on a non-slip surface, as all Olympic champions began. Put on your skates at home (the blades should have wide plastic covers). It's time to do your first exercises!

Skater stance. Let the child take the correct position: legs slightly narrower than shoulder width, slightly bent at the knees. The arms are also slightly bent and slightly apart for stability. Very important: the body is slightly tilted forward! Let the baby walk around the apartment like this, squat, spin in place, even jump. Always make sure that he leans forward slightly, otherwise on the ice there is a risk of falling back and hitting the back of his head!

Skater movements. This exercise should be done on compacted snow, but not yet on ice. It's time to remove the covers from the blades. Let the child repeat the same thing: take a stance, walk around, turn around, squat. The purpose of these exercises is to develop a sense of balance. If your child really wants to go out on the ice, practice for at least 20 minutes and only then go to the skating rink.

Holding on to mom

To begin, let the child stand holding the side while you ride in front of him, demonstrating simple exercises. Then start doing them, holding his hand (preferably both, if you can ride back).

Don’t force yourself to ride on your own; let your baby hold on to your hand until he feels confident. However, do not let him hang: the support should be soft, encouraging the child to maintain his balance on his own. Gradually use less and less force to keep your baby upright, and only catch him if he is really at risk of falling. However, hardly anyone has managed to avoid falling while skating, so one of the exercises is learning how to fall correctly.

March-march. Just walk on the ice without trying to slide.

Herringbone. This is the basic step for moving on ice. Have the child place one leg slightly diagonally. You need to push off with the inner edge of the other leg so that the first skate moves forward and slightly to the side. After pushing off with one leg several times, switch legs. Then try alternating: one push-off with one leg, the second with the other. Immediately teach your baby to push off with his teeth and ride on straight legs: these are the most common causes of falls.

Flashlights. At first the legs move together, then they move apart, describe a round “flashlight” and return. You can carry the child by the hands, and let him write out the figures.

Snake. The legs move together, now to the left, now to the right, drawing a double “snake”. At this time, you can also initially carry the child by the hand, but not too quickly.

Braking. Show your child how to brake with a plow. Spread your legs as if for a “flashlight”, and when bringing them together, strongly press your heels into the ice, crashing into it and thereby losing speed. The second option is heel braking.

Skating on two skates in parallel, put one forward with the toe up and touch the ice with the heel until it comes to a complete stop. The supporting leg is noticeably bent, the braking leg is straight. Learn both ways.

Turns. Have your child place his legs parallel first, remembering to bend his knees and lean his body forward. Now ask him to tilt his body in the direction he wants to turn. The sharper the turn, the greater the lean! When he masters this, let him additionally push off with the outer edge of the skate that is outside the turn: this will help him turn along the minimum trajectory.

A fall. Not the most pleasant exercise, but what if you suddenly have to fall? Never go back! Explain to your child: if you feel like you are falling, it is useless to resist. You need to squat as low as possible so that you don’t fall too high. It is better to bend your arms slightly and press them towards you: sticking out your elbow or hand will not soften the fall, and you can hurt them very badly. And let it gently “flop” on the soft part of the thigh on the side.

It is ideal not to “stick” into the ice, but to slide onto it and even ride further on your side. Do exercises whenever possible, alternating them with games and just hand-holding. Gradually, the baby will get used to it and feel comfortable on any slippery surface.

How much do figure skating lessons for children cost, at what age should a child be sent to a sports school and, finally, what will be the benefit of the lessons? You will learn about all this and more from our article.

Figure skating as a separate sport was formed in the 1860s. In the 21st century, there are traditionally several varieties of this area: men's and women's singles skating, group synchronized skating, sports dancing, as well as pairs figure skating. The coach decides which group your child will be assigned to.

From what age

The earlier the better. In general, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question at what age to enroll a child in the figure skating section. The decision depends on what goal you and your child are pursuing.

If you simply want to diversify your child’s free time, make him more relaxed, and introduce him to sports, then you should not rely on a specific age. Your child can easily start skating at age 7 or older.

It’s another matter if you strive to create a promising future for your child in figure skating as a professional activity. According to information on the websites, you can enroll in the group from the age of 6 years. Groups are formed on September 1 of each year.

Commercial schools accept children starting from 3-4 years old.

Medical contraindications

Chronic diseases prevent figure skating. These include diseases associated with disorders of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and damage to the respiratory system. The following diseases can be distinguished: heart disease, epilepsy, pneumonia, etc.

Skating is also prohibited for children with problems with the musculoskeletal system. Brittle bones, undeveloped joints - skating can lead to serious consequences.

At the same time, ice skating helps strengthen the immune system and prevent chronic diseases.

Boys and girls

Figure skating is a sport more for girls than for boys. This is stereotypical thinking in Russia. This also justifies the increasingly competitive environment that sets in for young figure skaters in adolescence, while boys find themselves out of competition. Many parents often transfer their growing defenders to the hockey or speed skating section.

pros

Figure skating for children has professional prospects. If a child has the necessary set of qualities, is purposeful and hardworking, then the path to success is guaranteed. In Russia, almost every major city has figure skating schools, so there will be no problems finding a place to study.

In addition to the listed advantages, skaters highlight the following:

• Personality formation. The child learns to be responsible, purposeful, and strong-willed. It is also worth noting the environment in which future skaters are trained: the coach is often strict, and colleagues at the skating rink are envious. This atmosphere gives you a chance to become stronger.
• Strengthening the immune system. It's no secret that the skating rink always maintains sub-zero temperatures. The body gets used to such conditions, and the immune system becomes stronger. Children stop getting sick with the flu and acute respiratory infections.
• Improved posture. For a professional figure skater, posture is an indicator of the athlete’s skill. Ice skating makes girls graceful, confident ladies with perfect posture.
• Improved coordination. On ice, athletes feel like fish in water. In order to perform sophisticated pirouettes, you need to have impeccable technique, honed over many years. As a result, regular skating lessons make children more active, agile, and flexible. Their reaction and coordination improves significantly. It is not without reason that they note that all figure skaters are excellent dancers.

Minuses

Like any sport, figure skating has its drawbacks. But you can turn a blind eye to all of them if your child is really in love with this sport. But if you have not yet finally decided where to give your beloved child, then it will be useful for you to familiarize yourself with the list of key disadvantages of figure skating:

• Bruises and injuries. Skating is the development of agility, but on the way to professionalism there are repeated stumbles and falls that can cause serious injury to the body.
• Psychological trauma. When a child fails to perform a certain technique, and everyone laughs at him, and the coach scolds him, you need to be strong from within to resist failure. Otherwise, the child may withdraw into himself and become complex.
• An expensive sport. It is a fact. In addition to training, you need to pay for skates, their maintenance and costume.
• Lack of free time. Children who devote themselves to professional growth in figure skating forget about what it means to sit in a cafe with peers, go on trips, and have a hobby.
• Switching to a diet (if necessary). Skaters are constantly weighed to be allowed to compete. So if your child is prone to gaining excess weight, then you should think about following a diet.

How much do classes cost?

Figure skating for children is not a cheap sport. If in the first years the costs are acceptable, then in subsequent years the costs will only increase. If your child proves himself and gets into an Olympic reserve school, this will provide your family with a significant reduction in financial costs.

Tuition fees at commercial schools vary significantly. In some places, payment is made for each lesson; in other organizations, a subscription is purchased for a certain period. Thus, at the children's figure skating school in the Luzhniki Olympic complex, a one-time visit will cost parents 850 rubles, and a subscription for 8 classes at the Olympic figure skating school will cost 8,000 rubles. On average, one lesson costs 1,000 rubles.

Cost of individual lessons: an hour with a trainer costs 1.5-3 thousand rubles.

In addition to the cost of training, you need to calculate other expenses. We are talking about skates, clothing, skate maintenance. At first, the costs will be several times lower. Firstly, because your child is just starting to skate, and skates for beginner skaters are cheaper than professional ones. Secondly, while the child is not participating in the event, there is no need to order or buy costumes for performances.

Approximate list of expenses:

• Skates for beginners – from RUB 5,000.
• Skates (advanced level) – from RUB 13,000.
• Skater protection: pelvic protection – 800 rubles, knee protection – 750 rubles, silicone stocking – 1,100 rubles.
• Thermal training kits – from RUB 5,000.
• Dress (simple) – from 5,000 rubles.

This is not a complete list. If you wish, you can purchase various accessories for classes: a bag, gloves, a case for skates and more.

How to choose a section

If there are several figure skating schools in the city where you live, then stay at a place that meets the requirements:

• Distance from home. Consider the fact that in addition to skating, your child must at least have time to attend school. Imagine how much time it will take to travel from home to school.
• Cost of education. It is approximately the same in all schools, unless we are talking about a specialized prestigious school or individual courses.
• Trainer experience. Perhaps the most important criterion in choosing a school. The coach must have not only professional skills, but also be humane towards young skaters. The mental health of future champions depends on this.
• Frequency of participation in performances. Not every school can afford to participate frequently in competitions. The more often a child is shown in public, the higher his chances of becoming the best in skating.

Let's sum it up

Figure skating for children is a sport that has more advantages than disadvantages. It can be practiced professionally or as a hobby, to improve health and inner emancipation. However, a professional passion for figure skating will significantly affect the family budget. In addition, this sport requires a lot of sacrifices. The child will not have time to go to the movies or walk with friends. At the same time, the financial return will not come immediately, but as far as the physical and personal development of the child is concerned, figure skating exceeds all expectations.

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The rays of the morning, winter sun reflected from the smooth ice surface of the skating rink and created an indescribably warm mood, giving everyone cheerfulness. To be honest, we were surprised that despite the early morning, there were quite a few ice skating enthusiasts. My husband and I have long wanted to introduce our daughter to figure skating and teach our child to skate, but for some reason we always had to put it off. But the question of how to teach a child to skate was far from the only one. Most of all I was worried about age - is it too early?

And so, we finally managed to put everything aside and try ourselves in such a difficult task as teaching a child to skate.

At what age can you start teaching your child to skate?

It is quite natural that before you teach your child to skate, you will ask yourself the question - what age of the child can be considered optimal to start learning. In general, there are no clear age restrictions here, and some children can be taught how to skate even at 2 years old. The main thing is that the child is physically developed, because skating is a big load on the child’s body, and of course, the learning process should be interesting for your young athlete, otherwise it will be difficult for you to achieve success.

The optimal age to start teaching a child to skate is the period from 4 to 6 years. Firstly, because by this age coordination appears in the baby’s movements. Secondly, most children by the age of 4-6 are physically quite developed, and thirdly, they themselves begin to show genuine interest in this. Well, of course, because Pashka, Marina and Artem are already skating with all their might on the skating rink in the yard, and I want to be there with them, and not sit alone at home.

How to choose skates for a child?

For training, figure skates with teeth in the front are best. It is very important that the skates fit the child exactly. But you need to try them on wearing a wool sock.

How to teach a child to skate?

If you have already begun to think about how to teach your child to skate, then you should be prepared for the fact that it will take you more than one day, and you will have to spend a lot of your energy on it. But the success of a child is the best reward for all your efforts.

Don't be in a hurry to get on the ice. For the first lesson, it is enough for the child to simply try to put on skates and walk in them on dense snow. After this, you can try to go out on the ice.

Before you teach your child to skate, be sure to teach him how to fall correctly, this will help your child avoid serious injuries and you unnecessary hassle. It is best to fall on your side, first crouching a little and pressing your bent arms to your body. To provide your child with greater safety, you can use a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads during the first few days. You won't be able to avoid falls - be prepared for this.

There are several simple exercises that will make it much easier to teach your child to skate.

• Side step. The child needs to walk from one edge of the skating rink to the other, with an extended step, that is, sideways.
• Spring. Squats in place.
• Walking forward.

All these exercises, of course, are performed in skates and on ice. After they start to work out, you can try to ride while holding your child’s hand. This way the baby will practice maintaining balance, and in addition, it will make your activity more interesting.

After this, you can move on to the next stage of your training. The left leg is placed forward, and the right leg is placed diagonally behind it. Leaning his body forward slightly and bending his knees, the child pushes off with his right foot and rolls forward. After this, the movement is repeated, but only now, the right leg is placed forward, and the child pushes off with his left. If the movement is performed correctly, the child should leave a trail in the form of a Christmas tree. After taking 2-3 of these steps alternately, you can put your feet straight, at the same level, and try to slide. Once you are sure that your baby is doing everything correctly, do not interfere with the process and give him the opportunity to practice a little.

It is quite natural that the speed at which your miracle will move around the skating rink is small, therefore, there is no point in teaching it braking techniques. Most likely, by the time a child learns to skate independently, actions such as turning and braking will be performed intuitively.

Many parents would like to instill in their child a love of sports. But most of them do not know at what age a child can be placed on. If a child loves winter and is interested in ice-related activities, parents may consider buying skates.

If we talk about sports sections, then enrollment of children in such groups begins at 4 years old. At this age, the child’s body is ready for stress. However, many parents and experienced athletes advise starting to take classes earlier. On the Internet you can find many stories about how a child should be put on skates at one and a half years old. In this case, it all depends on the age at which the child began to walk. If he stands confidently on his feet, he can get up independently after falling, gradually on a non-slip surface.

Doctors' opinion

Many doctors (including Dr. Komarovsky) do not recommend putting a child on skates under 3 years of age. They explain this by the fact that until the age of 3-4 years, the child’s foot begins to form. Early placement can lead to the development of flat feet. Up to three years of age, there is a risk of serious injury, which can cause a lot of trouble. This is due to the fact that the child’s body is weak, and the musculoskeletal system is not adapted to additional loads.

It is better to start skating at 3-4 years old, when the child will quickly learn new movements. During this period, the child’s body is very flexible, and he himself is not yet afraid of falls and can quickly master complex exercises.

Choosing equipment

When parents find out at what age they can put their child on skates, a new problem arises related to the choice of skating equipment. The equipment should fit comfortably on the leg without causing any inconvenience to the baby.

Depending on their purpose, skates can be divided into three groups:

1. Amateur or . These are lightweight and comfortable products designed for skating on any skating rink. They are not suitable for professional sports. However, there are combined amateur models with which you can master complex elements from.
2. . Specially designed for performing complex elements. They are also suitable for simple walks. These models have a long and low blade. The boots are made from genuine leather.
3. . These are skates on which you can quickly gain high speed and stop. They are made of tough materials to protect the hockey player's foot from being hit by the puck or being hit by the stick. The shape of the blade is rounded, without sharp ends. In length, it is slightly larger than the boot itself. Due to its short length, maneuverability increases. The blade itself is made of heavy-duty steel that can withstand heavy loads.

Hockey is a difficult sport that requires athletes to have a strong physique, lightning-fast reactions and the ability to calculate their actions in advance. It is better to send your child to hockey only after he reaches 5 years old. For hockey, you need to purchase a large amount of protective equipment and also the skates and stick themselves.

- a non-aggressive sport that involves mastering various techniques and elements of skating. You can enroll your child in figure skating classes from the age of 4. Until this age, you can learn new movements on your own.

For a successful start to skating, it is better to choose artificial ice. It has a uniform structure, smooth surface without irregularities. Thanks to this, the child feels more comfortable and falls less often. Moreover, skating on natural ice areas has many dangers associated with the risk of falling through the ice.

Figure skating is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful sports. Whether parents want to raise a champion or just want to give their child lots of amazing moments, knowing how to teach a child to skate is useful for everyone.

From this article you will learn

What is the benefit

In addition to developing a sense of beauty and excellent athletic training, dancing and jogging on ice has many other advantages:

• Ice skating is beneficial for those who want to become healthier. In the process, all muscle groups are strengthened, the lungs and heart receive an additional volume of oxygen, posture and well-being improve.
• This sport is fun for both adults and children. As a result of classes, such qualities as perseverance, determination, attentiveness and composure are formed.
• Spending time at the skating rink is great leisure time for the whole family. The baby is not able to master the technique on his own, so the presence of mom or dad is mandatory.

Important! Ice skating can be dangerous for children with problems with the spine and joints, as well as the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Before buying equipment, consult a doctor - pediatrician, orthopedist, neurologist.

At what age should a child start skating?

It is difficult to answer unequivocally the question at what age can you put a child on skates. With the advent of the famous book “After Three It’s Too Late,” many parents strive to teach walking and skating almost simultaneously – as soon as the baby is 1.5 years old. The age limit for admission to sports schools is 8–9 years old, but there is no upper limit for amateur skating.

The optimal period at what age can a child start skating? they say the age is 4 years old. This is the opinion of experts. Many future champions started during these years, for example Anton Sikharulidze, Elena Berezhnaya.

A four-year-old, both a boy and a girl, will be gladly accepted in the sports section - for children's hockey or figure skating. The main condition is that the baby must have well-developed certain muscle groups that allow him to stay on the ice. Otherwise, a young hockey player or figure skater won’t even be able to stand on his skates. In this case, it is recommended to wait or perform general strengthening exercises.

Important! At the age of three, a child is not aware of all the risks and is not afraid of failure, so he learns quickly. Fear of falling appears after 5 years. It is necessary to protect against injuries at any time, since one or two painful bruises are enough for the baby to lose the desire to exercise.

You can learn very useful tips by watching the following short video:

How to dress for the skating rink

The most important - . The size of the boots should be such that the child can wear them with a woolen sock. An important rule is good heel fixation. It is easier to learn to skate with short and sharp blades.

It is worth choosing light clothing that does not restrict movement. It should be warm enough and fit your figure well. It’s worth thinking about protecting your baby from inevitable falls: wear a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. Insulated pants with straps will soften the blow and protect your back from the wind. Here are some more tips:

• Buy your baby sports thermal underwear: it retains heat and absorbs moisture. For an outdoor skating rink in light frost, an alternative would be a woolen tights and a turtleneck with a lapel that protects the throat.
• Be sure to wear gloves or mittens; it would be a good idea to take a spare set.
• The jacket should not be too long.
• A hat that covers the ears is required.

First steps on ice

It’s convenient and safe to learn new sports equipment on a non-slip surface. For the first time, it’s better to get on skates with blades covered in plastic at home. Encourage your child to try a speed skater's stance.

In this position, the legs and arms are slightly bent, elbows apart for stability. The feet are located slightly narrower than the shoulders, the body is slightly tilted forward. This position allows you to avoid falling on your back. The baby can jump in this position, walk and squat under the supervision of an adult.

Before you start training on ice, it is recommended to ride on dense snow to develop a sense of balance. Once on the ice together, show your child how to move. Offer to ride along the side, holding one or both hands. To begin with, it’s enough just to walk without slipping, like a penguin.

The best option is to sit facing each other and hold the child by both hands, if the adult knows how to ride backwards. Such support will allow you to quickly get used to an unusual environment.

Fall training

Before you put your child on skates, he needs to be taught how to fall correctly. It’s better to study before going on the ice, at home, with something soft underneath.

Explain that if you lose your balance, you need to crouch lower, group yourself and fall to the side. In this case, it is better to press your hands to your body. As a result, the child should be able to fall automatically as soon as he feels that he is losing his balance.

By skipping this stage of training, a beginner risks getting bruises, abrasions, and injuries of varying severity.

Mastering skating

Once the little athlete gets the hang of it, complicate the task and teach the following exercises:

• "Herringbone". At the start, keep your heels together and your toes slightly to the sides. The legs, slightly bent at the knees, need to be moved one after the other. It is correct to push off not with the teeth of the skates, but with the edge.
• "Lanterns". The child begins to move, accelerating slightly or holding the hands of an adult. The feet are alternately held parallel, then spread apart, then brought together again, describing a circle, as if going around an obstacle.
• "Snakes". The feet are kept parallel to each other, the movement occurs in waves, the legs seem to draw a snake trail on the surface.

How to brake

Proper skating training for children includes the ability to brake and turn on the ice. There are four main methods of braking.

• The first, easiest one, is to put the skate forward and rest the edge of the blade on the ice.
• The second is to stop, pressing the heel into the ice and raising the toe up.
• The third is called “Plow”; to perform it, the knees and feet are brought together, the legs are bent, and the heels are spread apart.
• You can also slow down by sharply turning to the side and placing your skates perpendicular to the movement, one foot resting on the outer edge of the blade, the other on the inner one. The last method should be taught when the baby can ride well.

Advice. If parents do not master the art of skating, it is better to entrust the training to a coach who will quickly, safely and professionally teach techniques and techniques. If there is no opportunity to study with an instructor, it is advisable to master the technique using video lessons before going to the skating rink.

Turns

The main way to turn is to lean in the desired direction and push off with the outer edge of the skate blade. The stronger the slope, the sharper the turn. Make sure your child bends his legs and leans his upper body forward.

• When choosing where, how and when to put your child on the ice, and how long to skate, give preference to skating rinks where there are not too many skaters. Ideal - a place where the whole family can ride. As a rule, in the morning there are few visitors to sports facilities, and season tickets are cheaper.
• To make skiing comfortable, lace your boots correctly: the strongest fixation should be on the instep, but without tightening the muscles.
• Any activity for children is recommended to be done in a playful way.
• Don't let yourself get overtired; exercise should be fun. You need to increase the load gradually. Don't insist if your child doesn't want to continue driving.
• In cold weather you should breathe through your nose.
• According to safety rules, you cannot sit or lie on the ice, or leave your baby alone even for a short time.
• On the skating rink they usually move in one direction.
• It is not recommended to criticize and scold a child.
• You don’t need to walk on ice, but glide, smoothly and without jerking.
• Make sure your baby looks forward while moving.
• If after many lessons the child is still afraid and skates slowly, use a special device. The support that prevents the baby from falling is a vertical device with handles. Such a stand will increase the speed of movement.

And remember, the best motivation for a son or daughter is to see how passionate their parents are about sports.

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