Skip to main content

Is modeling a good idea for your toddler?

Does your toddler catch the eye of strangers everywhere they go? Do family and friends ask why you don’t get them into modeling? While a life of fame and fortune may sound tempting, professional modeling is not child’s play. There are many benefits — as well as negatives — to consider when thinking about a toddler modeling career.

We will discuss some child modeling career basics, as well as what the job involves, to help you make the best decision for your child and your family.

Related Videos

Here are the pros

When your child seems to have that certain “something” that draws attention, it’s fair to think they may have a shot at a career in modeling. Toddler modeling can have huge potential for your little one. Here are a few of the biggest benefits of getting your toddler into the world of modeling:

Exciting career path: The world of modeling is exhilarating and creative. And what parent wouldn’t love to see their child on a billboard or TV? The possibility of fame is especially real when kids start at an early age.

As a career, modeling can also lead to other opportunities in the field of entertainment. Many child models turn to acting, singing, or dancing as a next step or to complement their modeling. It’s a career that opens doors for many children.

modeling
terng99/Shutterstock

Quality parent-child time: When a kid goes into modeling, many parents choose to leave their jobs to accompany their child. While this is a job in and of itself, it also offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for parents to spend time with their kiddos. Parents who manage their children’s entertainment careers watch them grow and share special moments that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

Unique life experience: Children who start to work at an early age enjoy unique life experiences. As they meet others in the industry and interact with clients, child models mature faster than their peers. This can help them develop a sense of independence and confidence as they gain experience in the business.

Possibility of travel: A career in entertainment often takes models to interesting new places. This can create opportunities for your child to travel the world and interact with different cultures. As the parent, you would join them on these trips and visit places together.

Earning potential: Successful models are well paid. Kids who enter the world of modeling at an early age have a lifetime of lucrative income that can ensure their future. In addition, kids who know their earning potential can grow to be successful adults in their field of choice.

Here are the cons

As the saying goes, “not all that shines is gold” — and toddler modeling is no exception. While your child is still a toddler, keep in mind that they grow quickly and it’s only a matter of time before the cons of modeling rear their ugly heads. These are some of the negative consequences:

Time commitment: For toddler modeling to turn into a career, you need to take this profession seriously. It requires a major time commitment and adjustments to your family life. Toddler models need to be available for castings at a moment’s notice. Last-minute shoots are a common occurrence and you may find yourself driving long distances. This is exhausting for both kids and parents.

As your child grows up, their modeling career could interfere with their school schedule. Home schooling is a real need for many young models who also can’t take up sports or socialize with many kids their own age. It takes sacrifice, commitment, and discipline for kids to grow in the field of modeling.

Body image issues: Psychological damage is a reality for many child models, actors, and entertainers. The expectations to look a certain way put a lot of pressure on kids who haven’t yet developed a sense of self. And, as they continue to grow in this environment, it gets tougher when they enter the teenage years.

Scams and child abuse: Most parents have read articles about illegitimate modeling agencies that turn out to be scams. A reputable agency will never ask for money up front or ask you to spend thousands on videos and photos. Snapshots and home video of  your toddler should be enough when starting out.

Remember that the safety and well-being of your child always come first. Never leave your child unattended while at a casting or a shoot. Protect your little one by doing your due diligence on reps, clients, and others in the industry.

Understanding rejection: Many times, producers have a clear vision of the model they want to cast. This means your child won’t always have the desired look, which will lead to many rejections.

To avoid emotional damage, parents in the industry seek help from experts. It’s equally important for parents to understand that rejection is not personal. Of course, this is easier said than done, and most children struggle with this side of modeling.

Realistic expectations: The reality is that most models don’t make it in such a cut-throat industry. The competition is ruthless, and there are more models out there than there are jobs. If you decide that modeling is right for your toddler, set your own expectations and keep them in mind as you go to castings.

As you make this decision for your child, remember that nothing is forever. Your toddler can start modeling at a young age as a way to build a nest egg — with an exit plan in mind. You can also hold off on toddler modeling but stay open to the possibility when your child gets older. No matter what you do, the most important thing is to make sure your little one is happy and enjoying their childhood.

Editors' Recommendations

These books will teach your toddler to talk about their feelings
Toddler having a grumpy day? Sit down and read all about it
Girl with glasses holding book

It's hard enough for grown-ups to talk about their feelings. Asking a toddler to understand and cohesively express complicated emotions is a bit of a lofty request. At times, it can feel like a completely futile one. Happiness, sadness, excitement, and nervousness are more than just vocabulary words for a little one to learn. These are emotions that have real mental and physical manifestations in kids and adults. They can make our hearts race, our palms sweat, and our tears fall. It's not easy for toddlers to wrap their little brains around how feelings impact their bodies and minds. It's confusing, to say the least. Adults are still trying to fully understand their emotions.
One way to help your little one process their feelings and find the right words to use when expressing them is through reading. Nothing puts things into perspective like a little parent-child story-time session. So, curl up together on the couch, cuddle in, and calmly flip through a few sweet, silly, and meaningful books that seek to define and describe how our feelings affect everything we do.
Not sure what children's books make for a great read on the subject of feelings? We've rounded up 10 toddler books about feelings to help you teach your child to channel and express their emotions in a productive way. Whether your tyke is going through a difficult behavioral stage, exploring new friendships, or struggling with change, these feeling books for toddlers can help your kiddos identify and navigate all those confounding emotions and hard-to-articulate thoughts going through their heads.

Best feeling books for toddlers
Reading to kids is a great way to spend quality time and help them down the road to becoming a lifelong reader. It's also a perfect pick for teaching toddlers about their feelings. Add these feeling books to your library for bedtime or anytime reads.
Lots of Feelings, by Shelly Rotner
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when you're trying to explain a difficult concept to a child. This is one of our favorite books about emotions for toddlers. It offers real-life photographs of children to show the facial expressions that accompany common feelings. It's a great way to give kiddos visual cues to help them express their feelings and decode those of the people around them.

Read more
Doing homework doesn’t have to be a chore: 5 ways parents can help their kids
Stop dreading your child's homework with these tips
teen girls arguing with her mom about homework

While parents may welcome the back-to-school season because of the structure it brings, many dread the other component of the return to school; homework. If homework causes tears, arguments, stress, and even anxiety in your house, you aren't alone. In 2014, a study released by the National Center for Families Learning reported that 60 percent of parents struggle with homework issues every school year.

There are many reasons why doing homework has become a despised chore. After a long day of school, the last thing kids want to do are homework assignments. Kids and teens have packed after-school schedules and completing homework assignments cuts into that time. Whether you are pro homework or anti-homework, the simple fact is homework is an important element of the academic year. Homework assignments do have to be completed and do have a purpose. So, how can you stop the homework drama after school?

Read more
8 best movement and music activities for toddlers: Get them engaged (and tired)
toddler girl and her dad having fun with music and movement activity

Music can inspire a workout, improve mood, and make the workday glide along. For toddlers though, music is a bit more important. Exposing toddlers to music actually helps with brain development as shown by this study completed by the University of Southern California's Brain and Creativity Institute. Music stimulates the area of the brain that is responsible for speech and language development, as well as reading skills. Movement should be a vital part of a toddler's day because it helps to hone gross motor skills.

Gross motor skills come into play in a variety of physical activities like walking, running, jumping, and catching. Combining the two into fun activities for toddlers is a win-win. Music and movement activities help a toddler's mind and body develop. Of course, engaging in active movement activities also makes toddlers sleepy for those afternoon naps, and of course, bedtime. Here are eight entertaining music and movement activities to get toddlers excited and tired.

Read more