It’s time to sign your child up for ballet class, and that means finding the right teacher. As with anything else, a little research will be required to gather enough information to make the best decision. You can get a head start by asking other parents in your network for recommendations, or check local resources such as your phonebook to create a list of potential candidates. Many studios these days have websites, so you can get a feel for the studio and look at class schedules first before scheduling a visit.

Visiting the studio is important for several reasons: first, seeing it first hand is the only way to be sure that it is a place you and your child will want to spend time. It should be well-equipped with ballet barres, mirrors on the walls and a dance-friendly floor (usually wood). It is also an opportunity to interview the teacher. Here are some key questions to ask:

1. What is your background as a dancer? Find out where and how long the teacher studied, performed and taught. You will want to “go with a pro” because an experienced teacher who has had a professional dance career will most likely be the better choice. Why? For the simple reason that they have walked the walk, which means they have worked very hard and achieved a higher level of perfection than someone who has not danced professionally. They have invested more time and more energy into ballet, which means they have more information to share with your child in ballet class. This becomes more important for more advanced ballet students, because that teacher will be a valuable resource, providing guidance and strategy when (or if) your child decides to pursue a career in ballet.

2. What is your teaching philosophy and mission statement? It goes without saying that the teacher needs to enjoy working with children, and is able to maintain an upbeat, enthusiastic attitude. A teacher needs to walk the fine line between maintaining a disciplined approach and keeping things enjoyable. He or she must both instruct and nurture students, and believe in furthering the development of each and every child in class, regardless of innate talent and capabilities. Ballet class is a place to learn, and individual attention is key. The truth is that not every child will go on to have a professional career one day, but ballet classes are an opportunity for growth for every student.

3. How much time does my child need to devote to ballet classes? This is not as much of an issue for very young students, but is still an important question. Find out up front what sort of time and energy commitments are involved, especially if you are considering signing your child up for additional after school activities. Every class level will have a different time requirement, which becomes greater as the student becomes more advanced. Consider all the logistics of pickup and drop off to be sure that the class schedule works for everyone. While a six-year-old might attend class once each week for an hour and a half, more advanced levels might have class five times per week or more. Additionally, some studios put on dance recitals every year, and hey, performing sounds like fun, right? However, the time and preparation required for a simple performance can be quite surprising, when you factor in the weeks of rehearsals, including rehearsals onstage, and performance day will likely be an all-day affair, since dancers need to arrive backstage ahead of time to prepare.

4. What commitments do you require? You will need to know all of the particulars involved with signing your child up for classes to make sure the studio is the best fit for your family. For example, how many weeks will there be classes? Will you be signing a contract, and if so, what is their cancellation and refund policy? Financial considerations are often one of the most important considerations, so be sure to ask the cost of classes and how often payments are made (weekly, monthly, or quarterly, for example). If the studio does recitals, ask if there will be costume purchase requirements.

5. How does my child need to dress for ballet class? Most studios have dress codes for students. A student’s class level will dictate the style and color leotard and tights you will need to purchase, as well as any other additional requirements, such as slippers or pointe shoes. Hair needs to be pulled back away from the child’s face, so be sure that you have a supply of helpful hair accessories, including elastic hair ties, barrettes and bobby pins. Most studios will allow leg warmers, ballet sweaters, and other similar items that provide warmth. Ballet skirts may also be acceptable, too, so be sure to ask.

Signing your child up for ballet classes can be a simple, straightforward event, as long as you do your homework and ask the right questions. Whether your child does ballet for the next ten months or the next ten years, finding the right teacher will guarantee a positive experience, and the benefits of ballet classes will serve your child for life.

Every holiday season, after seeing the Nutcracker, millions of little girls go to sleep with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads… Sugarplum fairies, that is. But five-year-olds haven’t cornered the market on the desire to learn ballet; the truth is that there are just as many businesswomen and mothers with the same dream. It’s never too late (or too early) to follow your heart, slither into a leotard and tights and join in a ballet class, and the benefits are huge. For instance:

1. Discipline. There is something to be said for the fine art of mental control. While the lack of it is usually glaringly apparent in five-year-olds, it lurks in the deep recesses of the minds of most adults, too. We’ve just gotten better about camouflaging it. Mind over matter is a huge skill that can be applied in every facet of life for the remainder of one’s lifetime.

2. Grace, strength and control. It’s easy to identify a ballerina in a crowd, and this trio of benefits is a good part of the reason why. Dancers move differently than the rest of their human counterparts, because they have spent a great deal of time and energy cultivating grace, strength and control. Precision of movement is one of the most fundamental requirements of ballet, and the good news is that it’s transferable to other athletic endeavors. That is why many football players, gymnasts and other athletes also spend time at the ballet barre.

3. Flexibility. More flexibility means greater range of movement and less potential for injury. Who wouldn’t want those two things? Ready to sign up yet?

4. Great exercise. Let’s face it, bodies were made to move, as often as possible, every day. Why else would we have all these moving parts? Since exercise is absolutely necessary for health and longevity, we may as well pick an activity we enjoy. This will probably sound like a biased statement, but dance is a whole lot more fun than the gym. Or consider this simple equation: Joy of movement= laying the groundwork for a life time of good exercise habits.

5. Better posture. One of the first things you will learn in ballet class is how to stand up straight. Where else will you learn this if not in ballet class? And to reiterate an earlier point, this is another one of the reasons why it is so easy to identify ballerinas in a crowd.

6. Outlet for personal expression. For some of us, it’s hitting a pillow. For others, it’s yelling from a mountaintop or scribbling away in a journal. But it can’t hurt to add another option to your list.

7. Listening and memory skills improve. There’s an awful lot of stuff to learn during the course of a ballet class, not to mention the fact that the terminology is all in French. The only way to stay ahead of the game is to pay very close attention to what is being said and demonstrated, and then do your earthly best to remember when to do what. This is fantastic for keeping your brain lively.

8. Body awareness. You’re probably aware enough of some parts you would like to change, erase or give away. That’s not the type of body awareness that’s being addressed. Instead, you will grow awareness of how to move all the different parts of the body, and what is attached to what. And hey, your balance will improve. Dramatically.

9. Spatial awareness. Ballet classes begin at the barre but end in the center of the room, with lots of jumping and twirling. Not only will you learn to move in desired ways in the desired direction, you will also learn how to do all this without crashing into anyone else. Works really well in crowds.

10. Fun. This one pretty much goes without saying, but is one of the very best possible reason to sign up for ballet, which is why it was saved it for last. Who couldn’t use a little more fun in their life?

Whether you are five or fifty-five, you can enjoy the benefits of ballet class. How many other hobbies can boast fitness, posture, balance and fun? It’s never too late (or too early) to pursue the dream of dance.