Parents who love winter sports tend to share their enthusiasm with their kids, and it’s no different for those who snowboard. Teaching little ones how to stay upright without falling while they’re descending a slope isn’t as daunting a project as it may seem. Helping a tiny snowboarder to develop the skills they need just takes patience as well as a little shopping to make sure they have the right gear and equipment.
Pull them for a while
Kids love being led along on sleds or in wagons. They can have just as much fun being guided through freshly fallen powder on a snowboard. Children have a natural tendency to want to do things all by themselves, however, so it’s inevitable that a toddler being tugged along on their first board is going to insist that they be allowed to move through the snow by themselves.
Focus on their balance first
There’s no need for a little one that’s just starting out to be at the top of even the smallest slope. Maneuvering a board with one foot on and the other off while they cross a flat terrain is something that a toddler can get the hang of gradually. No two kids are the same. It’s a process that their bodies have to adjust to.
Micro-managing a little snowboarder’s every move isn’t as effective as letting them discover their own comfort level
While experienced snowboarders can enhance their technique through instruction and training, a toddler is still getting used to being upright and maneuvering upright outside a stroller. They’re still enjoying their new found independence. It’s best to give them space to build a natural relationship with snowboarding that’s not overly disciplined. Be sure to keep letting them know that they’re doing great.
Handling the first ride down an incline
A baby snowboarder who has been watching older kids and adults swish by, is going to reach the point when they want to do the same, but they’ll need to take a subtle slope that doesn’t dip too extremely. The hill should be slight and not require the greatest balance. A parent or older sibling should walk along with them and be ready to scoop them up if they tumble. Coaching them to put out their arms and bend their knees will help.
Make sure they have age appropriate gear and equipment
It may seem fine to use any type of cable that hooks on a snowboard to lead a toddler along by, but riglet wheels are designed for pulling baby snowboarders. Carefully fitted goggles that will protect their eyes from the wind are also a must. A one-piece snowsuit will be better than a jacket and separate snow pants because it will keep them warm and dry when they take a spill.
