Find a good acting class for your child. Look through local newspapers for acting coaches that advertise. Websites such as backstage.com list acting schools and coaches. If you don't have the budget to pay for classes, have your child join a community theater group. Beginning actors can gain some good experience by participating in theater.
Have headshots done of your child by a professional photographer. Headshots are the business cards of actors. They are 8- by 10-inch photographs that feature the actor's resume on the back. The headshots are used to get auditions and agents. Make sure that the photo(s) you use for your child's headshots actually look like him.
Submit the headshots to agencies that represent children. If they are interested, they will ask your child to come in for a meeting for possible representation. Agents are the people who submit your child for various jobs. This can be everything from television, film, commercials, print and theater. Some agencies are full-service agencies and will represent your child across the board, covering all different kinds of acting jobs. Other agencies focus on only commercials or television and film.
Obtain an entertainment work permit for your child. Make sure you know the child labor laws in your state. Most states require the child to have a work permit if they are under the age of 18. The work permit protects the child and makes sure that they get part of the money they earn. The parent or guardian will have to apply for the permit. Visit childreninfilm.com for more information about this process.
Submit your child for various acting projects. Online actor resources like lacasting.com and actorsaccess.com often have casting notices that actors can respond to whether they have an agent or not. You can submit your child electronically with the click of a button. Keep in mind that these websites often charge a fee to take advantage of their services.