In reply to kipper12:
As an 'aspiring comp climber', and having a really hard time at the Youth Open this weekend, all I can say is get them competing as soon as possible. This will get them used to the competition conditions, stresses and most importantly the mindset, because it won't be their physical ability that'll let them down, but their mentality.
All the little kids have been competing as long as they have been climbing, so being in that focused but relaxed mindset is second nature to them, and that can be the way for your kid too, if they're good enough!