[ It's a good first step. John has seen plenty of kids fall getting on the ice. Slowly he lets go of the hand he's holding, letting the other guy stand on his own, and slides back a foot or two. ]

That's the first step. You want to make sure your knees stay bent and your center of gravity is over your feet; don't lean too far forward or backward, just keep your chest above your feet. Next we're going to skate forward just a bit. Pick up your feet and turn in the direction you want to go, make sure your toes are pointed forward. Then you're going to pick up one foot and push it to the side and a little backwards in order to go forwards. Don't push your foot back like you're walking, you'll fall down. Watch me do it.

[ John angles himself so the movement of his leg is obvious. He pushes his foot out and slightly back, ending with his leg extended and raised off the ice, gliding slowly on one foot. After he stops he repeats the motion to come back to where he started. ]

Do you want me to show you again?