im not a parent, but i started skiing when i was three.  My parents never put me on one of those leashes, i had some wooden pole that i was supposed to hold onto as my dad held on the other end so i didnt go too fast.  This thing was a great idea because i could either hold on and have someone control me, or i could let go and haul ass, let me make my own decisions in skiing.  Also make games outta shit, my dad and i used to ride the chair, and the person who guessed the right number of chairs got hot chocolate.  Just make shit fun