dbny
05-11-2004, 09:18 PM
Tonight I had a new 4 year old boy who wanted to skate until he actually put skate to ice. It was complicated by the kid's not speaking much English. He was in tears very quickly, and would not even try to stand up. His father rented skates, but by then the poor kid was beyond help. While father and son sat on the bench to chat and rest, I got Mr. Pumpkinhead, my skating stuffed vegetable, beloved by all children thus far.
Of course the little one wanted to play ball. We started with him still sitting on the bench, then standing, then walking (in skates) to pick up the ball, and finally, when he was really giggling and having a great time, I put Mr. Pumpkinhead on the ice.
With me and his father both holding him, he ventured out to Mr. Pumpkinhead and gave him a kick accompanied by grins and giggles. Off we went to do the same thing several more times. Then, I suggested that he pick up Mr. P., instead of kicking him, and we continued like that. Ultimately, I was skating with the child, no Dad. He let me give him a little twirl around, and liked it. This one is going to take a lot of work, but I think he will skate given time and patience. Don't know what I would do without the world's only skating stuffed vegetable :lol:
Of course the little one wanted to play ball. We started with him still sitting on the bench, then standing, then walking (in skates) to pick up the ball, and finally, when he was really giggling and having a great time, I put Mr. Pumpkinhead on the ice.
With me and his father both holding him, he ventured out to Mr. Pumpkinhead and gave him a kick accompanied by grins and giggles. Off we went to do the same thing several more times. Then, I suggested that he pick up Mr. P., instead of kicking him, and we continued like that. Ultimately, I was skating with the child, no Dad. He let me give him a little twirl around, and liked it. This one is going to take a lot of work, but I think he will skate given time and patience. Don't know what I would do without the world's only skating stuffed vegetable :lol: