In Hollywood, experience is a key factor in getting cast in main roles. Few directors are willing to give their lead role to someone new to the scene, possibly because they might not have as much appeal as someone already successful (Emma Stone reportedly missed out on the role of Claire Bennet on Heroes because she was fairly unknown; Hayden Panettiere, who did get the part, was a former child star). For this reason, many stars today have had previous experience in the industry prior to their more "serious" roles- think, for example, guest starring on popular soap operas or starting off in commercials.
With this notion that in order to be successful, it's important to start young, child acting studios have received an influx of business as of late. And who can blame them? After starting at the age of 4, Dakota Fanning was already making $3 million a movie when she was just 12 years old. This idea that your child can be taught and tutored into becoming the next A-list actor, the next million-dollar-making child star, is appealing to many parents, who choose to travel to Los Angeles and enroll their children in such workshops. One of the more popular places, Oakwood Toluca Hills, doubles as an apartment complex, in order to encourage residents already there and lure in potential clients, hoping their child's success at a young age will pave a path for their future.
On the other hand, there are many child actors who didn't continue in the industry- a few names that come to mind are Mara Wilson (Matilda), Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone), and, of course, Shirley Temple- even Drew Barrymore went through a rough period due to her childhood success. So with that in mind, how much does success as a child star affect an actors success in the future?
Sources-
Sirs: "Hollywood Elementary"
Sirs: "Cinderella in Sneakers"
Sirs: "The Barrymore Curse: Can Drew Beat It?"
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