You can’t help but smile when you see those cherubic faces on billboards, on TV, or in the myriad of online ads that bombard you every day. Kids of every age, size, shape, and color grace advertisements, shows, and other fashion and beauty events.
These days, companies know how to target their customers better. When it comes to selling products and services aimed at the young and young-at-heart, nothing works better than using the young, vibrant faces of these child models.
Age of Innocence
A lot of companies and brands are more aware of the power of storytelling when selling or marketing their products. They book a baby model for brand stories that show families or for products that are related to infantile stages. They go for precocious toddlers for kiddie toys or look for teen models for the trendiest fashion favorites.
There is a whole industry for young models. There’s a demand for fresh faces and charismatic youth whose smiles captivate and enthrall their audience. If you’re thinking of allowing your child to be part of this world, then you will want to know what is involved. After all, it is normal to have parenting concerns, especially when it involves your little one.
You should be aware that the world of child modeling is not all glamour and glitz. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, and perseverance from both you and your child. It will take discipline, grit, and grace to withstand long hours of casting calls, pictorials, or TV shoots. There will be varying opinions on the pros and cons of having your child model at such a young age.
On the bright side, here are 3 of the most obvious benefits that modeling can bring to your child’s life:
1. It Develops Discipline
Modeling is fun and exciting but it also takes a lot of discipline. When your child wants to become a model, then he or she must be ready to have a calm and controlled demeanor.
Your child will learn discipline through a lot of things. There are rules to follow, especially during shoots. Running around when work is ongoing can be distracting and at the same time, dangerous. They can trip on wires or bump on things.
Discipline can also be learned in a variety of ways, such as waking up early, coming to work on time, and making sure that work will not interfere with schoolwork. Disciplined children know how to balance work and play and will stick to an organized plan to ensure that everything is taken care of.
2. It Strengthens Self-Esteem
A child’s self-esteem can also be developed when modeling. Some kids start off as shy but then develop confidence once they enjoy and appreciate the job. They start coming out of their shells and are more interactive with the people around them.
Casting calls and shoots can be good training grounds for learning how to speak out and articulate their thoughts and feelings. They can become more outgoing and friendly and thus gain more insight and ideas just from being with other people. It also teaches them to be more comfortable in their own skin, seeing that the modeling world has come to embrace diversity and uniqueness in recent years.
As a parent, you can also help boost their self-esteem and self-worth by giving them due praise for their efforts.
3. It Promotes Character Development
Being exposed to real-life situations also readies them for real-life challenges. Children who are involved in modeling usually get to observe the adults around them and assimilate certain characteristics. That is why you should also be mindful of whom you work with and go with reputable child modeling agencies who make sure that your child works in a safe and fair environment.
Modeling can also help your child to actively listen. Kids need to be able to follow direction quickly. They will learn how to take instructions and can develop a keen sense of understanding about their craft as well as about how to work as a professional.
Seeing how creative and hard-working people around them may be, they can also develop diligence, careful attention to detail, and professionalism. They know how it is to make sure that everything should be ready before a shoot or how carelessness can cause trouble and delays.
A Balancing Act
Not everyone can be expected to be in the best of moods or behavior during stressful moments though, so there can be times when kids can also be reprimanded. During these high-tension moments, child models learn how to cope with stress and criticism.
Of course, your guidance will be crucial to help them understand things or step in when it gets out of hand. You should be available to communicate with them and provide guidance and support especially during times when they are rejected for a role or when they did not land the project.
As in life, there can also be some challenges that will try you and your child when working in the modeling industry. It is a matter of managing your time well, exercising prudence in making decisions, and carefully choosing whom to trust. That is why it is advisable to have a trustworthy agency to represent your child. They will be the ones to negotiate contracts and make sure that your child is protected from shady dealings.
AUTHOR BIO
Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running agency specializing in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and modeling roles.
