Kayla Johnson, a professional skating coach in Stillwater MN, has been coaching ages two through fifteen since 2005. She has earned her Gold Freestyle and Moves in the Field, as well as ISI Freestyle 9. Over the last 8 years she has taught hundreds if not thousands of tots classes. In addition to her skating, she attends Northwestern College, pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Coaching. She is a member of the PSA.
Most recent videos at the top…
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – Hopping (Kayla Johnson)
Figure skating coach and tots expert Kayla Johnson demonstrates and gives tips on leading two fun activities designed to help teach kids how to hop on two feet on the ice. Hopping is an important skill for beginning skaters to learn because the movement requires balance, proper posture, and a willingness to risk leaving the …Continue reading →
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – The Cookie Game (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson explains yet another great game for engaging a tots class and teaching some important basic skills. The cookie game is a combination of games and skills already covered in Kayla’s videos. The basic idea of using “cookies” to engage young skaters is simple but brilliant. Kids LOVE and can relate to …Continue reading →
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – Games With Markers (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson shares some ideas of how to use on-ice drawings to engage and inspire the skaters in a tots class. Initially, Kayla discusses the marker itself and recommends caution when using permanent markers. (Water soluble markers are a better choice because when it gets on clothes and skin it is easier to …Continue reading →
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – Using Toys (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson offers a number of ways to use Beanie Babies or “Beanies” in a tots class. Using toys is a great way to shift the focus of young (and old) skaters away from the details and mechanics of actually skating. At this level, maintaining attention and having fun are extremely important, largely …Continue reading →
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – Warm Up Games (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson explains a couple warm-up games for a tots class that get the skaters moving and build balance and control. These games are fun and get the skaters moving around on the ice without focusing on how they’re moving. It’s important to simply get young skaters engaged and moving to let them …Continue reading →
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – Backwards Games (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson explains a couple games for a tots class that build backward skating skills. The first game is the “bubble gum” game. This game is effective for a number of reasons. It involves candy which most tots can immediately relate to. It involves a song or chant. It involves participation by the …Continue reading →
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How to Ice Skate Tots Class – The Zoo Game (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson explains a fun game for a tots class that she calls the Zoo Game. Kayla notes that effectively teaching a tots class requires the ability to let go and have fun with the skaters in the class. Kayla also notes, “It’s also really important to get down at the kids level …Continue reading →
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Introduction to Teaching an Ice Skating Tots Class (Kayla Johnson)
Tots expert Kayla Johnson explains how she runs a tots class in skating school. Initially she notes that the primary purpose of these classes is simply to have fun. Without having fun, most tots simply won’t be interested in learning the skills or even learning basic balance. Next she covers safety. She goes over certain …Continue reading →