What Judges Look for in Toddler Pageants By Elyse James, eHow Contributor updated: January 15, 2011

Beauty pageants have been around since the 1920s, and pageants for children followed in the 1960s. If you are entering your toddler into a beauty pageant, your child must be under four years old to qualify for the toddler age group. Pageant judges will allow toddlers to have the company of a chaperon while they are onstage. Although pageant judges are always looking for the "full package," different pageants have different expectations, so it is always best to check with their rules and guidelines before the big day.

1. Personality

   • Judges always like to get a sense of the contestants' personalities, which can sometimes be a bit more difficult with younger contestants. You can show your toddler's personality by dressing her in outfits that represent what she likes. If your toddler can give actions, like a wave, or make use of a favorite toy as a prop, this is a good way to show the judges the personality of your little one.

   Outfit

   • Your toddler will be required to wear several different outfits during the course of the pageant. She will be judged on the quality of the garment and how adorable she looks while wearing it. There might be several different categories of dress, depending on the pageant. Expect to have at least three main categories: casual wear, bathing suit and formal wear. Judges will be looking to see how much effort was put into dressing the toddler according to the given category.

   Stage Presence

   • How your toddler presents herself onstage will play a large part in the judges' decision. Judges are looking to see how well your toddler reacts to being onstage in front of a large crowd of people. Your little one should be bright-eyed and appear happy to be there. A crying toddler is not what the judges hope to see on pageant day. If your toddler is walking with your assistance, the judges will be looking to see how she presents herself. If your toddler waves to the crowd or smiles, this is a good sign for the judges.

   Facial Beauty

   • Another aspect that the judges will be looking for is general facial beauty, which comes quite naturally for toddlers. Depending on the type of pageant, this might require you to put makeup on your toddler or apply a fake tanning product. Other less formal pageant judges will be looking for a more natural look, so you should always investigate preferences before the big day.

How to Enter a Beauty Pageant By elliealberts, eHow User

Enter a Beauty Pageant

Have you ever considered entering a beauty pageant? Follow the easy step by step directions and you will be strutting your stuff on the stage in no time. Who knows you might even win!

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     You must meet the requirements of the pageant you want to enter. For example: Miss USA contestants must be 18-26 years old, and meet the state eligibility requirements of the state you want to represent.

   • 2

     Go to the website of the pageant you want to enter and apply online.

   • 3

     Send in a head shot (it does not need to be professional).

   • 4

     In some cases you may have to go through a telephone interview. Just be yourself and answer all questions truthfully and from the top of your head.

   • 5

     You will be notified of your acceptance through the mail or a phone call a few day or weeks later.

   • 6

     Once you are accepted there will be more paperwork to fill out and you may have to pay fees associated with the pageant- don't stress if you can't afford it you can always get sponsors to help you with the payments.

   • 7

     Once you get all the paperwork and payments made make sure that you have all the clothing and accessories and of course your dress for the pageant. You don't need to spend a lot of money on your wardrobe just make sure you feel good in it.

   • 8

     Prepare yourself physically and mentally for the pageant. You don't need to go out and hire a pageant coach or personal trainer just be yourself and show off the best version of you that there is, that's what the judges look for. Good Luck!

Tips on Baby Pageants By Deborah Whistler, eHow Contributor updated: February 22, 2011

Clothing for "glitz" baby beauty contests can be expensive.

Beauty pageants have been part of the cultural landscape in the U.S. since the 1920s; pageants for babies and children came on the scene in the 1960s. Today, babies can compete in a large variety of pageants. Local baby beauty competitions are smaller in scale and often sponsored by department and children's stores, photographers, modeling agencies and county and state fairs. More structured pageants --- which are often highly competitive --- are also available. These commercial beauty pageants are big business and can be a costly proposition. There are things to consider before entering your baby in beauty contests.

1. Fees

   • Most local baby contests are relatively cheap or free. But be aware that those sponsored by child modeling agencies and photographers are often designed to lure customers in to sell them professional services. There are many commercial pageants that charge entry fees. Often there will be a general entry fee, then additional fees are charged for each level of competition. Depending on the competition, the fees can be hundreds of dollars. If you are planning to enter a baby beauty competition just for fun, be cautious of hidden fees and don't get pressured into buying professional photos or other expensive services offered.

   Time and More Money

   • To be competitive in "glitz" baby beauty contests requires special clothes, makeup and hair styling that can be extremely expensive. Formal wear can range in price from $1,500 to $12,000. You will also have to invest in special apparel if you choose to enter bathing suit and sportswear portions of the contest. Even small babies often wear hairpieces and wigs or their parents will hire professional pageant hairdressers to prepare the children for competition. Some apply false eyelashes and retain the services of professional makeup artists to doll up their children. If you need to travel for competition, you will need to factor in costs of travel, food and lodging at the pageant.

   How Babies are Judged

   • Babies are judged differently, based on the competition. Points are usually scored on each portion of the competition, so to win any of the overall prizes you will have to enter most if not all of the different segments of the contest. Some of the criteria considered in judging a pageant are personality, looks, confidence and talent. Clothing, hair and makeup play a big part in judging in most glitz competitions, especially for very young children, so your investment and expertise in these areas are important if you want to be competitive.

   
   

How to Win a Baby Photo Contest By blissfulmommy, eHow User

We all know that all children are cute, so how does one go about winning a baby photo contest? Is it luck? Maybe there is a better chance if you know one of the judges. That would definitely help. To find out how to win a baby photo contest you have to understand what people notice when they are looking at a picture.

Instructions

things you'll need:

• High quality camera, a cute kid

1. • 1

     The picture must be of high quality. Something you took on your home camera or phone just isn't going to cut it. The picture that you submit should leave the judges speechless. It should jump out at them. They shouldn't want to look at any other pictures after they see your child's. You may need a professional photographer to do this.

   • 2
     

     Outdoor pictures are always a good way to go because you won't have anything to sway the judge's decision, like clutter in the background or even the style of your home. Make sure the lighting is good and maybe some interesting scenery in the background.

   • 3

     Pictures of kids in a grownup's clothing are always a hit. It makes them look more mature than they are and that may give you an edge against the competition.

   • 4

     It's always good if you can get your child to pose for the picture. A candid shot can be a good one but this should almost be a headshot for your baby.

   • 5
     

     Unfortunately you can't really affect this one but I believe that girls have an advantage over boys. Girls are seen as cute and petite, while boys are seen as messy and rambunctious. This may be disadvantage in a photo contest.

   • 6
     

     Keep trying. If it doesn't work out in the first contest you try, don't give up. There are plenty of contests available.