How to teach skateboarding to kids?

Kids are enthusiastic and agile at their age. They learn anything you introduce to them quickly. Their sense of curiosity and carefree attitude guides their instincts. This is the right time to teach them skateboarding. Besides being fun, skating has health and fitness benefits. It is an activity that is fun and physically fulfilling.

Now, giving kids skates and letting your child play with them is not the right way. They will soon get bored by it as it takes patience and technique to skate. It also has repercussions of severe injuries if they are left unmonitored. Hence, take the time to teach them skating to supervise them and tell them how to do it right.

These tips should help you in teaching your kids to skate:

Protective gear: Falling is part of the process of learning to skateboard. Make sure to prepare for it to avoid serious injuries. Get the right-sized helmet with wrist guards, knee and elbow pads for them. Also, make sure that they wear the right shoes and clothes. It ensures that they are confident during the activity.

Start on a safe surface: Considering safety is a must because kids do not have developed muscles to withstand injuries. Starting by teaching them the correct stance is essential. Please give them a feel for standing on the board and trudging forward slowly. Let them gauge the impact of their movements. Going with a carpet, grass, or a flat surface is the best way in the beginning.

Build balance: Balancing is the key in skateboarding. Once your kids master this, there is nothing to stop them. You teach them this by introducing them to kids cycle before skateboarding. This way, they can learn safely with training wheels and understand stability and the centre of gravity. Having a knack for balancing helps them work on their stance.

Get the basics right: After establishing the proper stance, the process of teaching them to skate starts. The fundamental steps include getting on the board, pushing it, and a technique called tic-tac. Let your kids understand their dominant foot that propels the board. Once they figure out pushing with one leg on the ground, encourage them to balance with both legs. Next, guide them in manoeuvring by adjusting the feet on the board's bolt. 

Take it slow: Like other sports and physical activities, skateboarding is a process. Take it in slowly to let your child get acquainted with it. The key is to do it regularly and make it a routine practice.

Do not pressurise: Although it is a fun activity, it is okay if your child does not like it. Give them time, and do not force it. They do not have to excel in everything. Only proceed to teach them if it is fun for them. It is best to do it in playtime to let them know that it is a fun activity instead of a lesson.