Master the Art of Public Speaking: Essential Skills for Kids

If there is one skill that is sure to improve a child’s confidence and prospects in life, that is public speaking skills. Be it just standing up in a classroom full of kids and answering questions or facing an interview board, good public speaking skills are definitely an asset. Are there ways in which kids can develop public speaking skills? Are there ways in which parents and teachers can help children develop them?

1. Encourage self-expression

From a very young age, children should be encouraged to talk. The old adage about children should be seen and not heard is a thing of the past. Even when children cannot put words together to form sentences, they should be encouraged and listened to. The most important thing to remember is that adults should listen more to what children have to say, instead of shouting orders at them.

2. Storytelling

This is a time-tested way of self-expression. Children can be encouraged to narrate the incidents that happened in school. From toddler to pre-teen years, this strategy works well. It is in the teen years that children tend to shut themselves up and do not share their experiences. So, catch them young.

3. Show and tell

A structured activity that can be conducted in English classrooms in school is ‘show and tell’. Each child brings something from home – it could be a teddy bear or any other toy, even a book or a pencil. Then the child stands in front of the class, shows what she has brought to school, and talks about it. Usually, it is just the name of the thing, how she got it/who gave it to her and why she likes it a lot. This is a great public speaking practice for a young age.

Related: Public Speaking Tips and Sample Speeches

4. Singing and rhyming

This may not sound as public speaking practice, but singing fun songs and reciting rhymes improves kids’ language abilities. Many children like to sing, and it helps to get rid of their inhibitions in speaking the language. Also, usually children are asked to sing in groups. This group activity is a great preparation for speaking alone.

5. Presentations

Gone are the days when education was just mugging up. Nowadays grades are given for PowerPoint presentations on topics taught, or new topics introduced in class. Usually, these presentations are done in groups, which is quite appropriate since students feel secure in groups. There is no doubt that presenting something in front of a group of people with the help of technology will greatly help in the development of the public speaking skills of children.

6. Debate clubs

When students are asked to choose extra-curricular activities in school, they may not pick debate club or anything remotely resembling it. However, if one’s desire is to excel in public speaking, there is nothing like a stint in the debate club. A debate is simply an argument, but a civilized one with rules and regulations. There are two opposing teams with a moderator. Each team argues either for or against a contentious issue, usually termed a ‘motion’. Depending on the merits of the argument, a team is declared the winner.

The above-mentioned are ways to improve a child’s public speaking skills. However, what if a child is given a particular public speaking assignment? Is there anything he or she can do to perform well? Turns out, there is.

7. Practice

So, the speech has already been written, and the child has memorized it. Let the child practice the speech in front of family members or friends as many times as possible, with the right pronunciation and intonation.

8. Body language

A speech delivered with the wrong body language is truly a bummer. One has to speak with one’s head held high, shoulders rolled back, and back straight, and make eye contact with the audience. She has to use her hands to emphasize certain points. On no account can she look at the floor or somewhere high up the ceiling.

9. Speak clearly and slowly

A nervous speaker rushes through his speech almost mumbling his words. A confident speaker speaks slowly, enunciating each word clearly and correctly. When the pace picks up, take a deep breath and slow down again.

10. Humour

Humour is part of any great speech, but not if it sticks out like a sore thumb. Add some humour to your speech if you think it is appropriate and deliver it with the right timing. This is especially important to engage the attention of an otherwise bored audience.