Which Program Is Right For My Child?
The answer to this question depends on the following…
- Your child's age and attention span
- Your child's previous skating experience and current skill level
Pre-School Children
Children that are 2-4 years of age, with very little or no skating experience, are eligible to enroll in the Parent and Tot program. This program offers group lessons that focus on basic movements such as pushing, & gliding. Parents are required to be on the ice and also need to have a confident skating ability. Children who have completed the 3 levels of Parent and Tot must advance to the Pre-Canskate program.
Children that are 3-6 years of age, with very little or no skating experience, are eligible to enroll in the Pre-Canskate program. This program offers small group lessons that focus on basic movements such as pushing, & gliding. Parents are not required to be on the ice but are required to be present at the entire session watching from the stands or lobby. Children who have completed the 5 levels of Pre-Canskate are eligible to enroll in the Canskate program regardless of age.
School Aged Children
If you child is 6 years or older and is interested in learning to skate but has little or no prior skating experience, the Canskate program will be most suitable. This program focuses on the fundamental movements of skating through interactive group lessons. Children advance at their own pace through 6 stages. Skaters that have completed the first stage of Canskate are eligible to move into the Pre-Power program. Completion of this program could lead to either hockey or figure skating.
Children with Special Needs
Special needs children love to skate. We offer Special Needs programs with qualified and specially trained coaching. Participants will learn skating skills and participate in interactive games. They will receive encouragement, rewards, and badges for their achievements.
Children interested in Figure Skating
Children who have developed basic skating skills through the Canskate Programs, and who show a desire and aptitude for figure skating, may be invited to enroll in the Pre-Junior Program to prepare for entry into the figure skating program. Skaters must have completed the 4th stage of Canskate to be eligible.
Advanced Figure Skaters
If you have recently moved to Milton and your child has completed the Canskate program in another club or is already a participant in the Starskate program (trying Skate Canada tests), you are invited to register for our Figure Skating Programs.
Children interested in Hockey
Children who have completed the first stage of the Canskate program, or are 6 years of age or older and have an interest in playing hockey, are eligible to enroll in the Pre-Power Program. This CanPowerskate program teaches the essential skating skills required for hockey. Hockey equipment in encouraged but not required however you will need hockey gloves and a stick. Completion of this program leads to the CanPowerskate and Hockey Skills Program.
Advanced Hockey Skaters
If your child has completed stage 4 of the Pre-Power or the Canskate program they are invited to register for our CanPowerskate and Hockey Skills program. This program of “drills and skills” focuses on power, coordination & endurance for the advanced hockey player. Full Hockey equipment is required.
Just Ask!!
The best way to choose a program is to email the club at miltonskatingclub@cogeco.ca and describe your child's needs. When you email the Milton Skating Club, our club administrator will help you to choose the program that's right for your child.
How often should my child be skating?
Ideally, skaters in the Pre-Canskate, Canskate, and Pre Power programs should skate twice a week in order to make significant progress.
A Junior-level figure skater should skate a minimum of two times a week, with three times per week being ideal. Intermediate, Senior and Competitive figure skaters will train more often, and training sessions will be longer.
Our Figure Skating Programs are available during week nights and include the free skate, skills, dance and power sessions, as well as Off-Ice training sessions for each level such as off ice jump and flexibility classes and fitness classes.
What equipment does my child need?
Skates: First and foremost, your child needs good skates. The kind of skates suitable for your child will depend on the program you're enrolling in, and on your child's size and strength. Some skate brands will be more suitable for your child than others. Please see the Equipment Tips link for skate fitting information.
Helmets: Helmets are also mandatory for all skaters registered in the Pre-Canskate, Canskate, Pre-Power and CanPowerskate programs. For the best protection, our coaches recommend a CSA approved Hockey Helmet. Bicycle helmets DO NOT offer appropriate protection for on ice activities.
Clothing: Once you have skates and a helmet, your child will also need warm mitts (not mini-gloves) and comfortable clothing to skate in. All clothing must allow the child to move easily, but must have no loose or trailing edges that might cause accidents. Water repellant pants are beneficial until your child masters their balance on the ice. Scarves are not recommended on the ice, as they are a safety hazard. If your child has long hair, the hair should be tied back so it does not interfere with the child's vision.
How do I choose a Skating Club?
When choosing a group instruction program, your main concerns should be:
1. Quality of the instruction – All of our instructors are NCCP (National Coaching Certificate Program) certified Skate Canada coaches. If a club does not list this in their advertisement then they the coaches are most likely not certified Skate Canada members.
2. Skater-to-Instructor ratio. - The fewer skaters per instructor, the more attention your child will get.
3. The Amount of Time on the Ice - The longer the session and the longer the number of weeks the session runs the more improvement you will see.
