In-line skating requires good balance and speed control; as a result, it is not a skill easily or quickly acquired, especially by young children. In-line skating also requires judgment and the ability to avoid obstacles, such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and other skaters.
In deciding whether your child is ready to try in-line skating, you should consider your child’s:
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Physique (foot size and body strength)
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Skill (general athletic ability and large-muscle coordination)
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Maturity (Ability to look out for surface debris and defects; judgment; attention to traffic).
Most 7- and 8-year olds are probably old enough to in-line skate, but some children may be ready earlier or later