The deck is the bandaid-shaped piece of wood. Generally there will be a gripping surface on part of the board. Do not expect this to be sufficient. Always make sure your children have on shoes with non-slip soles. Decks are usually 30-36 long, and shorter is better for the beginning skater.
Wide trucks are the best for beginners, because they offer the best balance.
The third part of a skateboard is the most obvious. Wide wheels offer the most traction, and should be on any board for beginners. Safety equipment is a lot less likely to be worn by a skate boarder than by a bicycler. Wearing helmets while bike riding is mandatory in many areas, but there are less laws regulating safety equipment for other activities. That isn t to say that safety equipment is not important, or that we shouldn t expect our children to mind.