In addition, students must be approved by DDA faculty to ensure that each student can participate safely. Girls must not go up on pointe (dance or exercise on their toes) until the bones of their feet are fully developed and the muscles, not only in the arches and legs, but also the lower torso, are strong enough to bear the stress. (Joan Lawson says ten; Gretchen Warren says eleven and Barbara Early quote an orthopedic surgeon who says, not until two years after menarche. Individuals vary, however, and this must ultimately be a judgment call by the teacher. In some cases, it may be wise to get a physician’s opinion as well, but pointe work before the age of ten is, or ought to be, out of the question.) They should also have had several years, at least three, and preferably more of proper training. All of this requires careful evaluation on the part of the teacher. Note that we have three requirements here: bones, muscles, and training. Once a dancer is ready, preparation for pointe work is a slow and gradual process. At first, it is just strengthening exercises at the barre. For example, simply going up on pointe and coming back down for perhaps no more than five or ten minutes. It is only after six months to a year of this that the girls start dancing on pointe in the centre. The entire process takes time and close supervision by the teacher. If a parent is knowledgeable about pointe work, they should observe the pointe work to see that enough time is spent at the barre.

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