Children find it easier to visualize and mimic a pink bird standing on one foot than a person standing on one foot. Starting in stationary basic position, the skaters extend one leg out to the side. From this position, work on shifting all of the skater's body weight over the bent leg so that the child's nose, knee and toe are lined up, as if they have a pole going through them. A pole is very straight and solid. Recovery is the completion of the straightaway stride in which the extended pushing leg is brought back to basic position.
Children tend to skate as though they are riding a horse.
Their legs never make it back underneath them. But whether or not they remember these skills the next time they come out to skate is another matter. The responsibility of the coach is not only to teach the skills, but also to ensure retention. Always ask young children questions regarding what they have learned. Young children, as well as people of any age, can learn to speed skate if taught in a way that makes sense to the individual.