Roller skating requires lower-body movements similar to those made by ice skaters, so it can introduce to children to the concepts behind ice skating. To roller skate well, children must learn how to balance and move like ice skaters do. A major advantage of this approach is that you don't need to visit an ice rink. Instead, children can develop their skills on any paved surface.
Function
Children can develop some basic ice-skating skills through roller skating. For example, falls are common in both sports, so falling well is a valuable skill to have. Children who roller skate get used to falling and learn how to catch themselves to prevent serious damage. Children also learn how to balance themselves to prevent falls. Developing these skills off the ice can improve a child's performance on the ice.
Considerations
Ice skating is more difficult than roller skating, so nothing can replace training on ice. Ice skates have thin blades on which you must balance. Also, ice is slippery, so maintaining your balance is harder. Still, if practicing on ice is not possible, roller skating is an effective temporary substitute for building basic skills. Many hockey players and ice skaters use off-ice skating to stay in shape.
Inline Skating
Inline skates offer a closer approximation of ice skating than traditional roller skates. Roller skates typically have two pairs of wheels each, making them easy to balance on. Inline skates are more difficult to balance on because their wheels are in single file, which more closely resembles the blades of ice skates. But roller skates might be suitable for young children who lack the skills necessary for inline skating.
Safety
Roller skating is an effective form of exercise, but proper safety gear is important, especially for children. Helmets minimize the chance of dangerous head injuries, such as concussions. Elbow and knee pads help protect the areas most likely to contact hard surfaces during a fall. Also, during a fall, the natural reaction is to throw out your hands to catch yourself, so wrist guards minimize lacerations and bruises.
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