Building Up The Kid Performers' Confidence Beforehand
The best way that parents can help their shy child feel confident about pursuing their chosen performative field is by being supportive and encouraging of their aspirations. By inspiring the kids to engage in activities that promote socializing and self-expression, they can also learn to actually overcome their shyness, as during their performances, especially as actors, they have to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, thus putting their own emotions aside for a bit.
Children can continue to practice their newfound interest in modeling or acting also at home, which should be the place they feel most comfortable in general. After becoming more familiar with performing on their own at home, they will feel more in sync with doing the activity in public as well.
Preparing For The Kids' Audition Thoroughly
As important as believing in themselves and their creative abilities is as well as receiving the support of their family, so is arriving at auditions well prepared. Natural acting or modeling talents can only go so far without understanding the basics of delivering performances.
This is why parents should initially look to enroll their child to work with talent coaches or attend the respective classes to ensure the aspiring kid performer has the best chance at successfully participating in auditions. Making it to the point of auditions without fully understanding the basics of what is expected from them can end up discouraging the already shy child even further.
When it is confirmed that the aspiring kid model or actor has received an invitation to audition, the child must practice their lines or moves at home. The preparations that have been done before the audition will give the child one less thing to be worried about and allow them to better focus on delivering their performance.
During the period before the auditions, especially on the big day, it is also important that parents manage their own emotions about the ordeal so they do not end up increasing the child’s anxiety in the process. Basic things like arriving at the auditions on time can also play a big role in helping the kid to feel confidently ready for their appearance.
Setting Up Realistic Goals And Expectations
While hoping to become the face of a major franchise or brand is the ultimate dream and endgame goal of any aspiring actor or model, which certainly is never completely out of the question, parents should do their best to manage not only their aspiring kid performers' expectations but also their own.
It is very important to have the child to focus on achieving realistic goals, improving one small step after another instead of trying to make a nearly impossible leap into the world of entertainment industry. Celebrating small achievements like giving a good effort during the auditions will encourage the child to try again instead of giving in to the shyness of appearing in front of casting directors again.
Struggles during these pursuits are to be expected and should always be discussed calmly and constructively, which should be encouraged by supportive parents. Kids commit mistakes and missteps are a normal part of the audition process for children. It is important that parents help their kids avoid discouragement to their aspirations by helping them to understand that those missteps are a part of the overall learning process of becoming an actor or model.
Understanding The Kids' Shyness And How It Can Be Advantageous
Ultimately, parents must understand and accept that their kid is not shy by choice. It is a form of social anxiety, and does not indicate that the child is pursuing acting or modeling against their own wishes. Pushing the child to overcome shyness instead of allowing them to do it at their own pace may only make the anxiety more severe. Instead, parents should continue to be supportive and trust their child’s process by taking it step by step regarding these creative and very public aspirations.
Matter of fact, shyness can end up being advantageous for kids pursuing modeling or acting. Children who are on the shy side tend to be observant rather than immediately active, which is a quality that can allow them to better understand and execute their roles.
Acting and modeling can give shy children the opportunity to safely express themselves, ultimately improving their emotional intelligence and social skills. Even if the initial pursuits do not end up with starting a career in the performative arts, they can help them in many other aspects of life in the long run.
