by Francesca Pawlak

Created on: February 26, 2009

It is unfortunate that so many people do not see the changes that the pageant and talent industries have made in the last several years. Since the murder of pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey, many believe that pageants and talent competitions foster ill behavior and sadly that is not the case.

More and more pageants and talent competitions have taken a "natural" approach. Natural pageants do not allow make-up or pro-am style outfits and/or dance, no matter the age of the contestant. Contestants are encouraged to come in their "Sunday Best" and present themselves as naturally as possible. The practice of showcasing natural beauty without the glitz and glam fosters self-confidence in young children and allows them to see past the overly acknowledged world of glamorizing today's youth.

Preschoolers are finding their independence without straying too far from their parents. Encouraging a preschooler to participate in a beauty pageant or a song and dance talent competition nurtures their curiosity and allows them to be themselves by showing they are independent on that stage. The independence a preschooler has on stage teaches him or her that they are able to do things on their own that they won't always need someone else do things for them, but doesn't shove them so far away that they don't know the parent waiting at the end of the stage will be there if they fall.

My oldest daughter, now nearly 4, participated in a natural beauty pageant at the age of 12 months. It was a rare occasion that we were in a location where pageants frequently occur and had the opportunity to participate. She wore a subdued pageant gown about knee length with a infant/toddler headband that matched. She had no make-up, no hairspray, no false eyelashes or teeth, just a one year old showing her personality in a pretty dress with frilly socks and dress shoes. The other girls in the pageant, ages ranging from two to twelve, were all dressed similarly. The older girls took part in the casual wear competition, wearing summer shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops or jeans and a tank, no fancy western wear or swimsuit competition. When I look back at my daughter and her participation in that pageant, I see how important it was for me to let her be on the stage toddling around being allowed to express herself freely without the pressure of being "doll-like".

The pageant and talent world has grown and will continue to grow and change. If more people push towards naturalizing these industries, then they truly offer preschoolers more good than bad. How can a preschooler exhibiting personality and confidence be a bad thing?

Learn more about this author, Francesca Pawlak.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.