Figure skating for kids?

Question

what is the best age to start figure skating

Answer 1

Typically a basic skills program starts enrolling kids at 3.  It seems to be a good age to at least get them accustomed to the ice.  There are some who go on the ice and it's no big deal.  They take off or hang onto the wall and try to do it all by themselves.  Others panic, cry and won't let go of their parents.   Sometimes I think it's a matter of too much attention being focused on the kid at once.  Here they're trying something new and unfamiliar, mom and dad are shoving them into the rink and telling them how wonderful this is gonna be and then their new teacher is also showering them with attention.  Whoa --overload!  :)

As with most sports, especially one that takes a very long time to get proficient at like skating does, the younger the better.  Children seem to pick up the skills quickly and don't have the "fear" that older kids or adults have when it comes to trying things.  While it may not be the greatest idea to get them in over their head (burn them out) while they're little because they will reach a point where their body changes, affecting their skating anyway, the skaters who excel in their younger years seem to be most successful.  The main thing is, the sport and learning has to remain fun for the child.  I've seen lots of skaters with natural talent grow tired of it and quit all together because they were always overwhelmed with it their whole life. :)

Answer 2

2-6.

8 at the latest.

its more on work ethic and wanting to do it.

i know girls who have skated from 8, who are just as good as another girl their age who skated since they were 2.

the girl who started at 8 had a better work ethic.

but it would be best to start early. like 5 or 6.

Answer 3

If you want them to go far ( Nationals, Olympics, FAME ) then it's better to start early, around 5 years old. But if you just want them to do it for pure fun and enjoyment and as a hobby with a couple competitions here and there, then any age is respectable.

Answer 4

I stared when I was 3.I think 3 4 or  7 is the best age to start

Answer 5

My cousin started around age 7. She's 11 now and she goes to a lot of competitions. I think she'd like to go professional - she does really well with it, but she flubs at competitions.

Answer 6

6-7 years old....

But they would learn faster at 8-9...

Answer 7

Well, I started at almost 11 years old and competed at the Novice level at 16. That's just 2 levels from senior.

My daughter started at age 2 - she loves it, but doesn't have the natural ability that I did - she works really hard.

All that said, if they are comfortable walking in skates and don't mind falling then you can start them as young as 2.  

Answer 8

Completely depends on the kid.  I started on roller skates when I was about 3 and don't remember learning how to skate at all (I remember being shocked when I was about 8 and learned that not everyone knew how to skate), so when I switched to ice at 9 I didn't have the fear that some people do.  Yet some kids can't stay focused too young or won't appreciate it as much if they start that young.  The younger they start the more likely they are to drop out by the time they're 12 or 13 because they start to wonder what else they can do.

Best thing to do is start them young but introduce them to a new sport every year.  That way they have variety and won't get bored and they will also feel as comfortable on ice as possible.