Children are often eager to display their talents.
Children's pageants can sometimes be polarizing. The objectification of children, the sexualization of little girls and propagation of superficial stereotypes are some of the things parents may object to. But children's pageants do not have to be about beauty, costumes and makeup; they also do not need to be only for girls.
Talent Show
Organizing the pageant around talent allows more children to enter and encourages participants to develop their own gifts. Talents like singing, musical instruments, dance and acting are common. However the talent can be almost anything, for example, a child may have a remarkable memory and can demonstrate that talent. This takes the focus away from being judged on looks and puts the emphasis more towards abilities.
Science Show
Having a science show as part of the pageant encourages participants to get creative and learn. Many schools have science fairs but not as many pageants have a science component to them. Participants can prepare an exhibit for the science portion of the competition and demonstrate their learning to the audience and judges.
Public Speaking
Public speaking is an important skills children should learn. Encourage the children to memorize or create an original piece to present to the judges in a speech arts portion of the pageant . This allows children to get creative and forces them to develop and practice public speaking skills.
Problem Solving
Problem solving is an important skill. Giving children a problem to solve on the spot as part of the competition encourages critical thinking and test the imagination of the child. The problem should have a creative aspect. For example, asking a child to solve a math equation is not only boring, it shares very little about who the child is. Asking the child, "what sort of solution do you have for solving world hunger" gets the child thinking.
