Addressing an audience publicly can be a terrifying experience for adults, let alone a child. It brings out the nerves and it is often difficult to feel 'normal' when on stage. While adults are still able to manage themselves in front of others, public speaking is often a common fear among children. This is why they must be initiated into it early in their lives.
By doing so, you not only ensure that your child is able to speak publicly with confidence, but it can also instill a sense of worth and leadership in your child. So when he/she is up on the stage or giving a presentation, they're not hesitant or have sweaty palms, and a racing heartbeat.
Often times the fear of public speaking can exhibit signs such as slight nervousness to paralysing fear and panic. And no parent wants that for their child. Therefore, a gentle parenting approach is what you must adopt if you want your child to have good public speaking skills.
Let's take you through some of the ways in which you can parent your child to be a strong and confident public speaker.
12 Public Speaking Tips For Kids: How To Help Them Become More Confident
Standing up in front of a class or address an assembly can often make kids nervous. And that's normal too. Not everybody has to be a public speaker. But this skill is extremely handy when it comes to building confidence and developing strong leadership skill. Because at the end of the day, your child might be book smart, public speaking can also make them street smart! If you're struggling with the same with your child, fret not. We have you covered.
Here are a few public speaking tips for kids that you teach them and raise a confident and well-rounded little personality.
1. Know the topic well
The better you understand your subject — and the more you care — the less likely you'll make a mistake or go off-track. However, this doesn't rule out the possibility of getting lost, but the chances of getting on track are easier.So sit your child down and make them understand the importance of this in no uncertain words.
2. Practice breathing techniques
Teach your kid some breathing techniques that can help them relieve their stress. Ask them to breathe in and breathe out three times and rerun the cycle if they feel anxious. They can practice this technique before getting on the podium or maybe during their speech.
3. Improve body posture
Encourage your child to practice confident body language by standing straight and tall. Ask him or her to do so by looking into the mirror while speaking as if they are addressing somebody else. This technique helps children feel confident and eases the process of public speaking.
4. Focus on what you are saying
Make your child understand that the focus of the discussion should be on the topic and not on the audience. You can even ask them to imagine that there was no audience as they were speaking to themselves looking into the mirror, as they did at home.
5. Make eye contact with the audience
If you feel your child is confident enough to make eye contact, encourage them to do so. Some children thrive in live interactions and this may actual benefit them. You can tell them that this technique will not only make them feel confident, but also portray a strong image in the mind of the receiver.
6. Don't overthink
It is obvious that your child may lose track of what they were saying and their mind goes blank. It is perfectly okay to take a pause. Encourage them to not overthink. Tell them that sometimes, the audience gets distracted, but they shouldn't worry about it. Ask your child to not think that the audience is disinterested because of their speech. If it happens, they should pause, breathe and start again.
7. Read out loud
Reading out loud is a great way to understand and work on voice modulation, pauses and emphasise points, improve pronunciation, and build confidence. You can introduce different techniques and make it a fun exercise with your child. For instance, ask them to start with a poem and teach them how to enunciate each word. Follow it up with the actual speech and show them how they can enunciate it in public.
8. Record your child's activity
It is a great way to instil confidence in your child's public speaking capabilities. When they are reading or practising at home, just record it. This will help them understand how they are presenting and areas where they are going wrong or need improvement.
9. Practice, practice, practice!
We all know there is no alternative to hard work. The only way you can tell your child to get better is by making them practice. Encourage your kid to think critically and make them write points in favour of or against an argument. This method will not just hone their creative writing skills but also train them to structure stronger arguments.
10. Avoid harsh criticism
Your child will always need feedback to get better. However, as a parent, avoid harsh criticism. Harsh words are harmful and demotivating. When kids hear negative messages about themselves, it harms their self-esteem. Instead, share your feedback calmly and explain with examples where you think they can improve.
11. Take advantage of technology
You should encourage your child to make better use of technology. Children today have easy access to smartphones and the Internet. Tell them to use their gadgets to prep for their presentations. Researching ideas online, watching videos, building PowerPoint presentations, and listening to podcasts together are just a handful of ways your kid’s tech-savvy nature can help him/her improve their speaking skills.
12. Observe other public speakers
You can sit down with your child and watch the President recite a speech to the nation on TV, or other public figures address the masses or debate shows. Discuss the topic with your child and what the speakers are doing when they talk. Paying attention to their actions can help your child identify which strategies are effective.
While public speaking may not be the most important life skill right now, it will come handy when your child grows up. Try to be as supportive as you can and help them with their speeches and practice in order to instill confidence.
Public Speaking Programs for Kids in Singapore
Singapore offers a variety of public speaking programs designed to empower children with the skills and confidence to excel in communication. Here are a few notable options:
1. PlanetSpark
PlanetSpark offers a comprehensive public speaking program for kids aged 4-14, fostering confidence, clarity, and effective presentation skills. They also offer a variety of other enrichment programs, including creative writing, debate, and coding.
2. Speech Academy Asia
Speech Academy Asia provides a range of public speaking workshops and classes for children of all ages, focusing on storytelling, persuasive communication, and presentation techniques. They also offer private coaching for students who need more individualized attention.
3. Edupreneur
Edupreneur offers a unique public speaking program that combines drama and storytelling techniques to enhance children's communication skills and creativity. Their program is designed to help children develop confidence, expressiveness, and the ability to engage an audience.
4. MindChamps
MindChamps incorporates public speaking into its holistic education curriculum, encouraging children to express their ideas confidently and effectively. They focus on building children's self-esteem, critical thinking skills, and the ability to communicate their ideas in a clear and concise manner.
5. Young People's Performing Arts Ensemble (YPPAE)
YPPAE is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of performing arts programs for children, including public speaking, drama, and musical theater. Their programs are designed to help children develop their confidence, creativity, and communication skills.
By embracing these strategies and enrolling children in reputable public speaking programs, we can empower them to become confident communicators, ready to navigate the world with poise and clarity.
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