Parents can start cultivating their child’s acting or modeling aspirations from literally the moment the child is born. Yet each stage of the kids' age requires a different approach to the performative pursuits in order to succeed with it. From the moment they can start getting training, to the time it can be viewed from the business side of things, these pursuits require a long-term approach. Continue reading to learn more about how parents can help their child’s acting or modeling career grow together with them.
- Ensuring it brings them joy. The performative art pursuits for children ultimately revolve around how much they enjoy it all.
- Showing support at every stage. Receiving encouragement from parents for their aspirations does wonders for a kid’s self-confidence.
- Skills will transfer to other aspects of life. From creativity and self-expression to learning and teamwork, these newfound skills will serve kids beyond acting and modeling.
1. Newborn & Infant
Acting or modeling careers for children can start as early as three months old, as there are plenty of campaigns focusing on baby products. This is an age where the decision to become a sort of performer is solely for the kid’s parents, as the baby is not at the stage to agree or decline any serious ideas. If the baby generally does not dislike being in front of the camera and the attention that comes with it, the child is most likely good to go as far as acting and modeling go for such an age.
Due to newborns and infants' limited motor skills, extended sleep periods, and reflexive movement, the performance possibilities at this age are also naturally restricted to simply being able to naturally appear and behave in the respective project’s footage materials.
Once their infant gets cast for a project at this stage, parents or legal guardians simply have to ensure that all the final legal requirements and agreements are accurate, as well as actively have to be involved during the whole production process, as the child at that age has a highly regulated schedule and will require frequent breaks for feeding and changing.
2. Toddler
As the child reaches toddlerhood, so does their potential for acting or modeling. Toddlers can now follow basic directions and exhibit way more emotions than newborns and infants, overall behaving more intentionally. Besides being able to follow actual directions, even if simple ones, for acting or modeling children at that age, the biggest skill remains natural charm.
Parents can update their child’s portfolio from just headshots and basic information to footage that confirms that the kid is ready for a bit more action during an acting or modeling gig. Yet at this very early period of life, the main goal from these performative activities remains the same - bringing the child positive and joyful experiences in a supportive environment, thus continuing to foster positive associations with it.
3. Preschooler
As the kid rapidly grows up, so do their interests and willingness to improve, compete, and succeed at them. If the kid is still willing to pursue acting or modeling, parents can use the time before the child has academic obligations to give them actual training in the performing arts.
Enrolling the youngster in age-appropriate acting classes may end up with them having a great time with their peers, as of course, such classes are primarily focused on creativity and play. Besides building on their past experiences by learning about the very basics of acting or modeling, kids in such classes develop crucial skills such as cognitive, social, emotional, and motor, as well as learn the benefits of teamwork and self-expression. While nobody can predict how long the kid will continue to pursue being a model or actor as a career, the joyful experiences and skills will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
At this point, when applying the kid to casting calls, parents can create a full-blown portfolio with all the information that would be featured even in an adult performer’s portfolio, including all the child’s credits and professional experience.
4. School-Aged
As the kid already has academic responsibilities and likely other interests besides being an actor or model, it is important that parents make sure that their aspiring performer does not neglect their responsibilities while juggling their other pursuits in a healthy way.
During this age, it is time to develop their skills in a more serious way. It may include encouraging the kid to receive coaching or mentorship, as well as more structured performative learning opportunities. As casting calls and auditions become more demanding in their performances, it is important for parents to also remain supportive and make sure the kid still enjoys their potentially increasingly demanding activity. The support and positive feedback will propel kid actors or models' self-confidence, and it will transfer to other aspects of their lives as well.
5. Teen
As the child slowly becomes a young adult, the acting or modeling pursuits will become more serious as well. Despite potentially having a portfolio since almost their birth, at this stage, it becomes really about how seriously this career can be pursued professionally.
More than ever, the child will rely on their parents' support, encouragement, and guidance. Parents should inspire their kids to aim to be their best, as casting calls and auditions at this age are maturing together with the kids’ age, thus transforming from a fun activity with the aim to get a gig, to really competing to be the best amongst their peers.
This is the final stage where parents are fully in charge of their kids' performative aspirations, and it is the last push in nurturing their career before the teen continues by taking the reins of their career themselves. So, this is a great time to teach the kid about the business side of it all as well, including the search for casting calls, navigating auditions, and legal aspects of participating in a project within the entertainment industry.
