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Two-Year-Old Skater

From Gail Buffington:

I really enjoy your site. I have a somewhat unusual question for you. We have a son, Edwin, 2 years old who started roller skating about 6 months ago.

He skates very fast, is starting to skate backwards, do crossovers... All of the skating pros say he is the most talented skater they have seen in 20 years. So of course, everyone wants to teach him all this stuff. Edwin is a very outgoing little guy, and loves to skate. But I can't handle people trying to find him skating partners at age 2, and expecting him to have a longer attention span than another two-year-old child. I want Edwin to enjoy skating, not just be considered the center of attention. I guess I am getting less comfortable with Edwin constantly being "on display". We skate a session every Saturday morning, and Edwin accompanies my daughter and I to skating lessons on Sundays.

When my daughter and I take our skating lessons, our coach spends a few minutes with him, mostly just demonstrating stuff to him, and Edwin tries to imitate them. She makes a game out of it with Edwin, and if Edwin is in a good mood, he will play along. If he is having a "terrible twos" day, she leaves him alone. When the more advanced skaters do dances, jumps, figure circles, Edwin intently watches them.

I would like to strike the right balance - if Edwin wants to learn more about skating, fine. But I am not going to be the kind of mom who "pushes" her child. Edwin has many other interests like music, throwing and catching balls, playing with other kids. Edwin is very, very young to say the least.

I would like any advice you can give me on how to work with Edwin. He's a great kid, and I want him to be happy.

Answer: Thank you for your great and very timely question. I say it is timely because I recently received a letter from a father whose dream it was to have his son represent his country in the Olympic Games and wanted to know what I would recommend to start  physical training for his one-year-old son.

As a part of my answer to him, I enclosed your letter and suggested he follow your lead with his son.

Gail, I think you and the skating instructor are doing exactly the right thing for Edwin by exposing him to the sport at a pace and level that is appropriate for a two-year-old. Skating is something he enjoys but he also has other interests and that is wonderful. Keeping his participation fun and enjoyable will increase the likelihood that Edwin will stay active in skating. When the time is right to focus on the sport more highly, he will let you know. Until then, support him in his other interests and encourage new ones. He sounds like a delightful child and he is fortunate to have such an understanding parent with such great instincts.