In this age where people are judged by how well they speak, public speaking is, as Warren Buffett calls it, an asset that everyone must have from a young age. Your child will need it when speaking in front of other kids at school when playing and when conversing with adults in various settings. However, like everything, there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint to learn public speaking for kids. Children learn differently, depending on the time on their hands, attitude, and processing and retention powers. This article discusses four simple ways to expedite your child’s public speaking learning curve.
Introduce the concept of public speaking early
The earlier your child knows that there is no getting around the headache of public speaking, the better. Depending on your child’s age, you can introduce it at home as an activity or fantasy play.
Older kids can be taught directly. On the other hand, younger ones may struggle to see the point unless they are given fun fantasy roles such as a king or president delivering a speech or a teacher addressing a class. Anything that can arouse their curiosity and zeal is worth including in your regimen.
Encourage them to watch movies
While many kids lack the skill, a great deal only lacks the confidence to speak publicly. Movies can come in handy if you’re trying to impart boldness to your child. Films such as The King’s Speech, Comedian, Public Speaking (documentary), The Great Dictator, and Braveheart are great resources to learn public speaking for kids and a good source of family entertainment.
Discourage timidity and reward confidence
Lessons learned through observation massively outweigh those taught with intent. If you react negatively to acts of boldness, your kid will likely pick up a tentative persona, potentially losing their public speaking ability. Negative reactions include snickering, mocking, and reprimanding.
Not to say there is anything wrong with correcting or even punishing a child, but failing to point out their exact mistake will only leave them guessing and possibly blaming their confidence. You want your child to channel their enthusiasm into valuable undertakings such as public speaking — not lose it or direct it to the wrong things.
Enroll your child in a public speaking class
As a parent, you want to be a part of your child’s development, but daily commitments and a lack of aptitude may get in the way. Thankfully, there are loads of ways to learn public speaking for kids that don’t have to involve you. You can enroll your child in an online class or purchase public speaking books for them to read from home.
You need to ensure the material or course you choose is professionally prepared and suits your child’s learning capacity. Resources meant for adults are almost always not suitable for kids, so consider classes that specify the age range and, if possible, consider a child’s learning capacity.
Conclusion
These are some of the basic tips to learn public speaking for kids. Getting it down pat is often easier said than done, but with patience and resolve, your child will eventually understand both the nitty-gritties of proper public speaking and the whole point of learning it.
