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Show as- ----- l SExiiGifj Do Fob- M - ' Ski areas real in providing nursery or babysitting services ser-vices can be a key considera-tion considera-tion in families trying to decide where to ski. The youngsters figure as much in most areas' operation as mom 'n dad. j MANY ski areas have a nursery where children can be left for an hour or a day to X.; free the parents for a few runs together. The nurseries, in H : turn, usually are more than just a babysitter as they " provide outdoor activities-some activities-some even have kiddie les- r sons-as well as a warm , lunch. , V: . , . Most large resorts and many of the smaller areas have ample facilities and excellent ex-cellent "junior" programs. It's far more than the early days where a ski instructor would wind up babysitting a gang of toddlers in some corner room of the base lodge; areas are highly aware today of the need for professional, profes-sional, qualified nursery services. LEARN-to ski programs have shown the average youngster of 4 or 5 makes a fine, qulck-to-learn student. He or she has food balance, canjinderatand the instructor instruc-tor (younger kids may lack the language skills to understand under-stand instruction) and-perhaps and-perhaps most lmportant-they are usually big enough so rental equipment Is available. Experience has shown a child feels confident on skis ' very quickly. With this I security, the motivation to do better grows. BUT basically, kids want to have fun. They love to ride the lifts and try to get down the hill as fast as possible in order to ride right back up. And kids aren't as "uptight" about falling as adults. At age 3 or 4 a child might rather sit and eat snow than ski on It but give him a chance. Children have a way of developing in their own good time, so don't push, just lead them to the snow. AT AN early age, a month, one way or the other, makes a great deal of difference In a child's muscle strength and body coordination. A child's introduction to the sport of j skiing is always presented with a "fun" approach along with other youngsters of the same age. Even the most apprehensive or hesitant young skiers welcome this form of initiation. With various climbing and sliding gamea-under the close supervision of a ski Instructor In-structor who Is specially trained to Work with young children-kids soon take short slides for themselves, maybe aided by an outstretched hand or a rope around the waist. At this point it's just a matter of time to develop the ability to ski longer and longer distances dis-tances without aid. |