Public speaking ranks as the top phobia for three out of four adults. You’ve probably heard that many polls show that people are more afraid of public speaking then of dying. Public speaking certainly has never come easy for me, which is probably why I want it to be easier for my kids.
Public speaking ability remains an incredibly valuable skill and much revered in our society. People who speak well in public come across as powerful, intelligent and confident leaders. To many of us, public speaking is intimidating because instead of focusing on the information we want to convey and putting our energy into our presentation, we concentrate our anxieties on how others will judge and perceive us.
So how can we nurture public speaking skills in our children, particularly in an environment that is moving more and more toward online or text communication? Even before your kids start school, look for small ways to encourage them to speak in front of a group, like sharing a story from the day with the family or saying the blessing before a meal.
Once your child starts school, encourage public speaking opportunities. Show-and-Tell is a wonderful introduction to public speaking since it gives kids a chance to talk in front of their peers about something that interests them. My kids love to plan out what they will bring to share with their classmates. Rather then letting them go in cold, I always ask them what they will say about the toy and why it’s special.
Consider involving your child in drama or in organizations like scouting or 4-H. These organizations emphasize leadership abilities and provide opportunities for kids to get comfortable speaking in front of a group. As a cub scout my son, 6, has already been asked to say the boy scout pledge and the pledge of allegiance in front of his group. He’s on the shy side so these tasks aren’t easy for him. He appears to come away from these experiences energized and feeling more self-assured. My hope is that through exposure to these opportunities, my kids will become somewhat desensitized to the self-consciousness associated with public speaking and instead grow more confident in how they present themselves to others.
How do you feel about public speaking? Does your child struggle with public speaking? What are ways you encourage public speaking skills in your child?
Photo courtesy: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot
