National Parents’ Day might be a time to celebrate moms and dads, but parents themselves can create amazing family memories with new traditions. Roller skate lessons top the list of unique, fun, active, and nostalgia-filled options. Whether you remember summer days skating when you were young, or even if you’ve never tried the exciting activity before, this holiday is the perfect time to learn together.
What are the best kids’ activities near me? Parents trying to keep their kids busy and active during the summer months may look for outside sources of entertainment. Instead, stay close to home with a pair of Nattork roller skates and a plan.
What Are the Benefits of Roller Skate Lessons?
From a practical perspective, roller skating helps strengthen muscles, improve balance, and builds confidence, persistence, and more. It’s a great form of physical fitness that’s super fun at the same time. When taught by a parent, it becomes a loving lesson in trust and patience, too. Quality time that includes gentle guidance and shared adventures will always create lasting, positive memories.
How Mom and Dad Can Teach Roller Skating Lessons
Above all else, make things fun. Start at home as long as you have a safe, flat, and smooth surface to skate on. You can also head to the part on National Parents’ Day or go to a roller rink at a non-busy time set aside for beginners. If it’s just you and the kids, you’ll all have a better chance at building confidence while learning skills.
Begin the lesson with safety gear. Put on matching helmets, elbow and knee pads, and wrists guards. Have a quick discussion about the possibility of falling and even practice it a few times on the grass. Learning how to fall and making sure your children know it’s okay is an important part of learning a tricky skill like roller skating. This also teaches them how to get back up safely and try again.
Next, it’s time to teach them how to actually skate. Demonstrate each technique as you go and never push them too hard to go faster or farther before they’re ready.
1 – Posture matters. Teach them to bend their knees slightly and lean forward a bit. This can include a quick lesson about the center of gravity if suitable for their education level.
2 – Take a walk. Put one foot in front of the other. This helps them get a feel for the weight on their feet and keeping their balance. Start with toes pointing forward and then change to a slight ‘duck walk’ with toes pointing a bit to the sides.
3 – Lengthen each stride with a glide. Start rolling by showing them how to push off with their back foot so the front one glides a bit forward with every ‘walking’ step.
4 – Teach the safe way to stop. Explain the specific type of brakes their skates have. Quad skates usually have toe-stops to push down and drag on the ground to stop. Inline skates often have rear brakes that require tipping the foot back to put downward pressure.
5 – Practice turns by shifting weight and leaning very slightly to one side or the other. Do this first when standing still, then when gliding slowly, and finally when skating forward.
One of the most important things to include in roller skating lessons is the power of getting up when you fall down. Offer understanding, but always encourage with an upbeat attitude and the power of perseverance.
If you’re searching for the best things to do with kids near me this National Parents’ Day, look no further than your own driveway or local park. Roller skating lessons make a wonderful opportunity to bond, get active, and make great memories together.