It's one of the most beloved events at the Winter Olympic games - ice skating. The Olympic events of figure skating and ice dancing both get underway this week. (Check out the complete schedule HERE.)

Many children (and their parents) dream that one day their child will compete at the Olympics in this event. And no matter who that child is - it all starts with a first lesson. When should it be and what can you expect? I asked two children's ice skating instructors just that...

Moira North is Founder and Artistic Director of Ice Theatre of New York (see photo above left). She's been an instructor for 25 years. She herself began skating when she was about 3 years old in Northern Canada. Her son Christopher (now 16) starting skating when he was 2 years old.

Jocelyn Delmar is a "learn to skate coach" at Buffalo State College (see photo below right). She's been teaching kids to skate since 1996. Jocelyn began skating around 5 years old and starting taking lessons when she was 7.

Both say for most kids getting kids on the ice around 3 is the earliest parents should aim for.

"Typically, motor skills, coordination and attention span won't last through a 20 to 30 minute lesson for children younger than 5," Jocelyn says. "Children can start skating with their parents around 3 years old to get a feel of the ice, but organized and structured lessons will put more of a demand on a skater's abilities. I often see very young students who are unable to pay attention for a full class because they're looking for mom, and they fall a lot and get discouraged easily."

Moira adds, "I think that an ideal age is between 3 and 6 depending on how comfortable they are with experiencing new physical activities. I encourage the use of a helmet."

Safely learning how to fall is at the top of the list for most important things young skaters should learn. "This is very important as skaters fall all the way to the Olympic Games," Moira says. "Falling is normal and not as scary as you might think. One of the first things that is taught in all skating curriculums is to fall down properly and how to get back up. Top skaters and hockey players fall all the time, it only means that they are pushing their limits, not failing. I always tell my students that it doesn't matter that you fall, it matters that you get up again," Jocelyn adds.

"How to stand up and move forward and how to safely stop once they are moving forward" are also important things beginning skaters should learn according to Moira. So are knee bending and upright posture says Jocelyn: "The different skills that skaters learn will test their balance, and if you are standing up straight and bending your knees, you can handle an off-kilter moment much better. This is especially important for aspiring hockey players, who tend to use their stick as a crutch. All children who want to play hockey should skate without sticks for at least a year or two."

And parents should remember "The most successful young skaters have parents who are hands-off and supportive. Send the child onto the ice with a kiss and a "good luck!" then retreat to the stands. A skilled instructor can make even a crying child forget about why they're upset and focus on skating for half an hour. My most proud moments as a coach aren't from teaching high-level skaters, but from helping a crying child to smile and have fun," according to Jocelyn.

Another tip for parents - don't buy or rent skates that don't fit properly. "If skates are too loose, skaters will wobble and lose their balance more often. Too small or tight skates will hurt their feet," Jocelyn says. Her tips on finding the right skate:

• Typically, you want to go one size down from the shoe size.
  
• There should be enough room to wiggle the toes.
  
• Lace them all the way to the top hook, and do not wrap extra laces around the ankle, this will restrict blood flow.
  
• Tie a big, double-knotted bow, and fold the socks over the top to keep it from dragging.
  
• Children learn best on figure skates (blades with toe-picks) because the blades are flatter and have more surface area touching the ice, which makes it easier to balance. Boys can switch easily to hockey skates after about a year or two of figure skates. Double-runner skates are also bad, because they inhibit learning to balance on a central point and edge control, which is necessary for moves in both hockey and figure skating.

No matter what the age of your kids, ice skating is a great activity to try! I remember ice skating as a kid in Texas. I LOVED it! It was so cool on the ice and it felt so freeing. I did it for years -along with dance, gymnastics, piano lessons, softball and more- all never with the goal of becoming an Olympian but just for having fun!

"Kids generally love the sensation of skating as it is similar to the image of flying. I think that the activity appeals to the "Peter Pan" in all of us!" says Moira.

"Skating is for everyone - little kids, teenagers, and even mom and dad!" says Jocelyn. "It's a wonderful exercise, a fun way to have a family night out, and there are so many different directions that you can go in ice skating: hockey, figure skating, speed skating. Everyone should give it a try!"