Public Speaking is speaking in front of a group of people in a structured manner, it can be talking in front of strangers or talking in front of people you know (friends/ family), not necessarily always on the stage. For example, giving a speech in front of class/ at family celebrations/ in an auditorium with a lot of people, answering a question in the class by standing up, singing a song in front of guests who come home for dinner etc.
Public speaking is a very important skill for kids at a young age. Through public speaking skills, kids get better at critical thinking, communication, listening skills, and even develop confidence in expressing themselves. In order to encourage children to do something different, you need to be patient and take small steps. Here are a few things you can try:
Find their Interest Area:
Talk about the different activities that are related to public speaking with your child. Some kids are not interested in giving speeches, but they are interested in debates, storytelling, etc. Find their interest area and show them how their body language plays an essential role in delivering impactful messages.
Develop Curiosity:
Once you find the interest area, try to encourage them to explore more and understand what skills they would like to improve. This exploration process can enhance their personality development by allowing them to discover their unique style of communication.
Begin with Listening:
Once your child has started to develop curiosity, make them listen to good public speeches online. Encourage older children to take inspiration from TED talks on topics that interest them and they can learn from them. Active listening plays a major role.
Strengthen Family Bonding using Active Listening
Practice Storytelling:
Stories are something that excites most kids. Encourage your kids to read a lot of stories. Stories, when used in speech delivery, can help to catch the audience’s attention. Knowing how to make stories in their speeches will make speeches more fun and interesting for children. Stories also give them an opportunity to use expressive body language while narrating, making their delivery more engaging.
Utilize Every Opportunity:
Encourage your children to grab every chance to perform, either at school by participating in competitions like speeches, debates, elocution, etc., or any social event. This consistent exposure will not only improve their public speaking skills but will also help them build their confidence and aid in their personality development.
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