Time for Totcicles: ; Children Scamper at Icy Playtime

Summary

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Every Friday morning, pint-sized sliders take over the ice at South Charleston Memorial Ice Skating Arena for Totcicles, an hour- long session during which skates are not required. Mittened and helmeted toddlers scamper on the ungroomed ice in tennis shoes. Its the only time anyone is allowed on the ice without skates. The concept is to introduce young children to the ice without using ice skates, said rink manager Butch Buckley. Eventually, the child will want to try to skate, so well get them some skates. Its a great chance for the kids to go out there and have fun with their parents or grandparents. On a regular school day, about 50 to 60 children show up to play on the ice, he said. Attendance drops off when school is canceled, because most Totcicles participants have older siblings who arent allowed on the ice from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays. The program isnt offered when school is out of session in the summer. Skating instructor Jenny Rhule started Totcicles five years ago to give children ages 2 to 5 a chance to explore the ice in interactive, creative play. Instructors haul bright, plastic toys into the rink to entice children onto the ice. Rhule might place a basketball hoop at the opposite end of the rinks entrance, or draw on the ice and send the children scrambling to find the characters in a scavenger hunt. She encourages them to stomp their feet on the ice, because skaters place their entire foot on the ice at once, instead of the heel-to-toe motion walkers use. The ice is rough from hockey practices the night before, so it isnt quite as slippery as usual. Rhule insists they wear helmets, in case they do fall. She prefers ski helmets, but bicycle helmets work well, too. Rhule glides around on the ice, picking up the children and twirling them in circles and encouraging them. Its a self-serving job, she said. I get so many hugs. As they watch her movements, many choose to strap on skates themselves. For many, its a first step toward taking a Learn to Skate class when theyre eligible at 5 years old. Michelle Stout, who recently moved to Charleston from Atlanta, couldnt wait to bring her 3-year-old son, Trey, to the ice rink. This is one of the best kids programs Ive ever seen. This has been a great experience for us, she said. I wanted to get him used to the ice. He definitely wants to take skating lessons. Jeymilin Estep, 3, donned skates the second time her grandmother, Martha Cook of Dunbar, brought her to Totcicles. Karen Young recently brought her son, Nathaniel, 3, and daughter, Rachel, 1, to their first session. Weve been cooped up inside because of all the snow and wanted to get some exercise, Young said. Their father was recently deployed, so were just trying to stay busy. After an active play session on the ice, the children head for the warmth of the fireplace in the lobby. They shed their coats, receive a cup of hot chocolate and some animal crackers and gather around Rhule for story time. When do they start asking for the hot cocoa, Buckley said. Some of them ask as soon as they come through the door. Totcicles is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays at South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena. The $4 costs includes skate rental and a snack. Children should wear warm clothes and gloves and bring a bicycle helmet. For more information, call 744-4423.

CHIP ELLIS | Sunday Gazette-Mail photos Karen Young buckles her daughter Rachel, 1, into her helmet as son Nathaniel, 3, steadies himself for his first session in ice skates. Their father recently deployed to Afghanistan for his second tour in the war.

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Time for Totcicles: ; Children Scamper at Icy Playtime

Ice angel Jeymil...

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