Learn to Skate!
Ice skating is a motor skill that will last a lifetime. It is a confidence booster and a way to promote balance and core strengths that will help in many sport activities. School classes often go skating as a group. For a young or older adult, it is a physical activity that is social in nature, especially in Canada. It can take place outdoors on a rink, lake or pond and of course indoors.
The earlier you learn the more successful you will be!
Skating promotes hand-eye coordination and leg strength.
The motor movements that are part of the skating motion can be taught before you go out on the ice.
It is helpful to introduce helmets and gloves at an early stage. Kneepads may be used as well to cushion impacts if they are falling a lot so that by the time your child progresses to the ice surface, they will be familiar with wearing protection.
How to get started
Start by learning to slide your feet on the floor by using paper plates.
You can also use wax paper tied to shoes or feet on carpeted areas. Styrofoam plates or Frisbees are also items that may used to slide on many surfaces.
Make sure the child has some support on two sides as they start. Part of learning to skate is learning to fall as well.
Help them learn to use their knees and hands to lessen the impact when falling.
Progress to them to having no support.
Try sliding outside on hard packed snow before going on to any actual ice itself. Have them kneel and slide or sit and slide down small slopes.
Use a sled or plastic carpet to enhance the motion or feel of sliding.
Be verbal in describing the terrain and motion.
Use a movement that mimics the skating motion of side-to-side push and glide.
Balance is one of the most important parts of skating. Learning to keep your head up and upper body stable is hard to do. It should be learned prior to going on the ice and you can do this by encouraging your child to slide their feet back and forth while helping to provide support to keep them balanced and upright.
Once you are on the ice
Use chairs or other skate supports available to allow your child to help support themselves and develop the stability to be successful.
There are also ride on toys that may help and motivate the younger children.
The level of your child's vision can affect what they know about surfaces and the areas they are moving in.
Pre-teach your child as much as possible about the environment of the surface and area they will be to moving around in.
Using the boards at the skating rink will help as a guide at certain stage.
Using non-slip grabbers/ice grips for boots may also be a way to help your child become familiar with sights and sounds of the ice rink before they start skating.
Learning about the tools and the environment of skating is important for motivation and for future participation with their peers.
When there is a physical limitation to skating, there are adaptations that make it easier to participate. Try using chairs or sleds to help slide around the ice!
Credit: Blind Beginnings, PRCVI, BC Blind Sports, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada