Back when beauty pageants first started, they were reserved for women over the age of 18. But recently, child beauty pageants have taken on a life of their own. Open to girls under the age of 12, these beauty pageants have some great benefits for the contestants.
- Little girls often go through their mothers' closets looking for fun things to wear. We think of that iconic image of a toddler plodding around in her mommy's high heels. Beauty pageants let them know what it's really like to wear pretty clothes like that.
- The different rounds in a beauty pageant can allow girls to develop skills that they'll use later on in life. The interview portion is probably the most important. It helps girls learn how to be comfortable speaking in front of a group. It also gives them an opportunity to express their opinions. After all, many people fear public speaking more than they fear death. Pageants give little girls a head start in overcoming that fear.
- The talent portion works in much the same way. Each girl finds something she's good at, and she gets to perform it in front of a crowd. This is a great way to overcome any type of shyness.
As long as the little girls have well-grounded parents, pageants should be a positive experience for everyone involved!