please advise clueless mother of 5 y/o beginner!!

[sleepyhead]

I'm so glad to have found this community!!
DD is 5 and just started ice-skating (in a 3-5 year-old 'tiny tot 1' group). The parent guide I received said there are a long list of badge levels children progress through, and after that they will progress to private coaching for the upper levels.
DD switched days this week so she had a different coach who she just loved and was fabulous with her.
DD will start having one 30 min private pw.
I know nothing about ice skating and I'm so lost about what's normal. Is it possible to progress much whilst skating so little time pw? How long would children usually train pw at this age/stage? What sorts of 'skills' would you expect she'd be working on at 5?
I did try searching other threads, but mainly just found lots of terms I didn't understanding and no info on usual age progressions.
Any words of wisdom will be extremely appreciated!!!

[Clarice]

Hi! Welcome to the board, and to skating!
I'm in the US, and my daughter also started when she was 5. (She's 20 now, has passed her Senior tests, and is retired from competition.) She started in group classes for the first year, then switched to private instruction when she was about 6. I wouldn't say it's unusual, but it's certainly more expensive! Most coaches work with skaters of all levels. At my rink we have former World and Olympic level coaches who work with very young kids. If a coach suggests that your child would benefit from private instruction, that usually means they see something that can be worked with - perhaps a good sense of balance or coordination, or the ability to follow directions and concentrate. It does not imply anything about the child's future in the sport. Five years old is far too young to predict anything - there are far too many variables.
Your daughter will definitely benefit from having her own skates if that's at all possible. They don't need to be the most expensive ones yet. Skates usually get more expensive as they get stiffer (in order to provide enough support for jumping). A 5-year-old beginner doesn't need super stiff boots yet. The coach should be able to advise you on what would be appropriate.
One private lesson and one group lesson a week sounds fine to me - that's what my daughter was doing at that age. She'll also need to practice outside of lesson time, whether that means coming a different day, or spending extra time on the ice on the day of her lesson. When my daughter began private lessons, she had learned to skate forward and backwards both stroking and sculling, could glide on one foot, and had learned some small jumps we call bunny hops. When she began private lessons, she progressed much faster, and was doing single rotation jumps and spins (albeit not very well!) within a couple of months. Every skater is different, though, and develops at their own pace. Obviously, that development will be accelerated with private instruction, since the skater has the coach's undivided attention during their lesson.
Does that help any? Ask away if you have further questions - there are lots of folks on this board who will be happy to share their experiences!

[dbny]

I know nothing about ice skating and I'm so lost about what's normal. Is it common for 5 y/os to be trained privately?

Yes. Many even younger children take private lessons. It really depends on how the parents want to handle it. Some children thrive in group lessons, while others do better with private lessons. At some point, private lessons are definitely a must if testing or competition is a goal, but at the beginner level, it's really just the parent's choice.

What about total beginners?
I give private lessons to first time skaters all the time. If a parent isn't sure the child will want to keep skating, it makes sense to do a private lesson first, before signing up for a whole series of group lessons. Also, some people cannot commit to the same time every week, so group lessons won't work for them. Unless a child is primarily motivated by competition with other children, he/she will almost certainly learn more/faster in private lessons.

Do coaches like that usually offer to train privately (when I read her bio I more pictured myself asking on bended knee :D)? Does an invitation after the 3rd lesson imply anything about DD's future competitive potential?

Unless this coach is already fully booked, I don't think you can make any assumptions about why she approached you. Keep in mind that even the child who shows star potential has a very long way to go and there are many obstacles, including finances, injury, growth pattern, adult size and body type, and most important of all, the child's own motivation.

Does DD really need her own skates already?

If your DD likes skating and will continue, then she should have her own skates sooner rather than later. They do not have to be expensive skates. Most important is that they fit her well. The insole of the skates should not project more than 1/2 inch past her big toe (pull it out and have her stand on it). The Jackson SoftSkate is an excellent beginner skate, and is low priced, but I don't know if it is available in Australia. I'm sure your coach can recommend a skate for your DD.

Is it possible to progress much whilst skating so little time pw?

How long would children usually train pw at this age/stage?

That is variable. If your DD loves to skate, let her skate as much as you can. Usually, at her age, one half hour lesson per week is enough, but if she wants more and you can afford it and her coach has the time, go for it. It's better to do several half hour lessons on different days than longer lessons on one day. Let your DD be your guide as to how much she skates and how many lessons she has.

What sorts of 'skills' would you expect she'd be working on at 5?

[sk8tmum]

5 is too young for some, too old for others. All kids have different learning curves, and different "windows of teachability". If your kid is loving the sport, wants to learn, and is eager to get on the ice - that's a win. If your kid isn't showing these characteristics - then, thats a problem that may or may not resolve itself in time.

But, caveat on the bio thing: a coach with a great bio may not be the best coach for your kid. Make sure that you like, trust and respect the coach. That it's someone you want working one on one with your daughter, hopefully for many happy years. I've seen parents picking the most "accomplished" coach and overlooking other ones with less accomplishments, and regretting it. This coach you have may be the best, most wonderful and most incredible coach in the world for your kid, and I hope s/he is. But, be canny in making that choice. We made one choice based on a history, and forgot to ask other parents why that coach had so much time on her hands!

There is no coach in the world who can look at a 5 year old and know where they will end up in the future. I am surprised that a coach would approach you that way, it's not something that would be done at our rink - I guess different countries have different customs!

OH yes - get her her own skates. 5 year olds have small malleable feet. Misfitted skates can cause problems in later life, so, watch for skates that don't fit correctly, too small or too narrow being a recipe for difficulties for little feet.

[katz in boots]

Hi, I'm from Australia, and am familiar with the Aussie Skate program. 5 y.o. is a great time to start in Tiny Tots. The aim of this level is to get them feeling safe & comfortable on ice.

Private lessons usually = quicker progress - as long as your DD is enjoying it and having fun. Sometimes a higher level coach can be rather intense, which doesn't suit every skater. Some enjoy the social & fun side more. I wouldn't speculate why the coach called you, it's not the sort of thing I've heard of before.

As others have said, her own skates will help enormously. Rental skates often have poorly sharpened blades which could make it hard for her to skate on 1 foot, and often don't have good support. Have you checked with your rink about 2nd hand skates? Some rinks sell them, sometimes it is the skating club that does it. Little ones grow so fast and change their minds so quickly, that often 2nd hand skates have barely been worn. Worth a try, unless your DD has special-need feet.

My advice on clothing is to go for some leggings (which are 'in' this winter) or tights, and a short, flared skirt from your local Big W/Target/K-mart.

For yourself, I suggest taking stock of your finances and investing in some warm shoes & clothes for your long hours rink-side :D

[sleepyhead]

Thank you all so much. There is such a huge amount of useful info you've each given me I'll be referring back to it until it all seeps in. :bow:
Please don't be shy about adding more - it's all gold to me.
Do coaches ever allow sharing of privates (say siblings or twins) and if so should the cost differ??
DD is very tiny for her age, and we've had disappointment in the past not being able to get 2nd hand tap/jazz shoes because she's so small. Coach did mention 2nd hand as an option though - so will definitely cross fingers and check it out.
I'm curious - why add a skirt? Is it more than a fashion item?
TBH a big attraction to me to have DD try this sport is the delicious coolness at the rink. I do own a couple of long-sleeved things, but don't take them because I just love to sit and enjoy feeling cold for a while - bliss!! I can't imagine the difficulty they must have keeping the ice frozen!!! I can't think why skating isn't more wildly popular!!
And DD does gymnastics - so skating hours seem quite short by comparison (so far at least).

[sk8tmum]

Questions you should consider asking the coach:

1. Why do you want to coach my daughter? What is it that caught your attention? (Good Answer: enthusiasm, aptitude, body type, Bad Answer: Because I know she can go to the Olympics! She's a complete natural!)
2. How much do you charge? (Good Answer: an actual amount, and what you can afford. Bad Answer: "Oh, it depends, we'll figure it out as we go along")
3. How much do you want her to skate? Are you okay with her continuing to participate in [insert activity here]? (Good Answer: She needs to enjoy skating, and she needs to have a well-rounded childhood. Bad Answer: She should completely focus on skating. Unless an activity supports her skating, she should stop it, and add in something else that supports her skating)

Questions you should consider asking other parents that you trust, and in a discreet and diplomatic way:
1. What do you think of [insert name here] as a coach?

What you should do:

Watch the coach in lessons with other students. See how s/he relates to students. Do they look positive, engaged and happy? Are they working? Do they look focused but not stressed? Don't just focus on how many successes the coach has had in local competitions, that can be misleading, and you want your kid to be enjoying what she is doing. She's 5! Everything is supposed to be fun when you're 5!

The skirt is because girls typically compete/test/perform in skirts. Leggings are good, they let the coach see her "line" and they keep her warm. You should also consider a pair of skating tights (or other heavy tights) - they help keep little legs warm. Also avoid heavy parkas or such like on the top, they are too bulky and constricting to skate in.

[sk8tmum]

RE: the sharing. Yes, some coaches do allow for sharing. Usually, it's the private rate plus an additional amount to accomodate for the extra child, or at least that's what it is around here; it's not double the private rate, as the coach's attention is split two ways. Depending on the kids, it can be a good idea and save some money.

[fsk8r]

Coaches are sometimes quite happy to share lessons, but it works best if the two skaters are at similar levels. It's sometimes more fun for the skater to have a friend with them, but it doesn't always work as well because we all learn at different rates.

Possibly what the coach is noticing is some of the body awareness that gymnastics has taught your daughter so far. Gymnastics and ballet have a lot of things in common with ice skating when it comes to posture and flexibility.

One thing to consider with the coach is how well you and your daughter get along with them. It doesn't matter at what level the coach has worked at before if your daughter doesn't get on with them and if your daughter is struggling to learn from them.

One comment on a skating skirt. A coach once told me that it sometimes helps the little ones as it makes them feel like they're participating in the sport if they look the part. Whilst skating in jeans is a no, no because they restrict movement, you also don't feel particularly sporty in regular street clothes.

Good luck on starting the skating journey. I hope it continues to remain fun.

[Lenny2]

My daughter and her best friend shared one lesson per week with their coach in addition to their own private lessons for many years. The coach did not charge extra for this--we just split the cost of the lesson. This worked very well for us. The girls were at the same level, and they enjoyed working together. They had different strengths and weaknesses, but they were always a little competitive with each other, so the lesson together motivated them to do their best.

[kayskate]

re: shared lessons

I have taught shared lessons. They are called semi-private around here. Depending on the policy of the rink, I have charged a small fee for the additional student or the same amount. This varies w the policy of the rink and the coach.

In some cases, kids do well in a semi-private. For others, 15 min of personal instruction each is a better compromise if $ is an issue.

Kay

[katz in boots]

I'm curious - why add a skirt? Is it more than a fashion item?

Yes, it just helps them feel like a skater. And if they wear tights rather than track pants or leggings, some tights are a little thin to be worn on their own.

TBH a big attraction to me to have DD try this sport is the delicious coolness at the rink. I do own a couple of long-sleeved things, but don't take them because I just love to sit and enjoy feeling cold for a while - bliss!! I can't imagine the difficulty they must have keeping the ice frozen!!!

LOL that's funny. I also love the cold. My husband sometimes lets me go in the cold room at his work kitchen cos I love it so much. I want to live there :lol:

[mdvask8r]

Re the cost of a semi-private or shared lesson. Around here some coaches will simply split their normal private fee, but more often a slightly higher fee is charged. Many rinks or clubs require the coach to do this in order that the per lesson/per skater fee remain higher than the cost of a group lesson. They don't want the private coaches undercutting the group lesson program price thus encouraging parents to bypass LTS because they can get a better deal on privates.

Example:
LTS fee = $108 for 6 lessons or $18/30-minute lesson
30 min private lesson = $30 -- splitting this would be only $15/skater so this coach would have to charge at least $36 for a 30-minute semi-private lesson.