Public Speaking Classes For Kids: A Complete Guide
Some children are natural-born public speakers. They have confident personalities, love attention and being in the spotlight, and feel comfortable speaking in front of groups of people. For other children, the thought of speaking in public is enough to send them into a tailspin of anxiety and nerves.
Children with speaking anxiety are not alone. Eighty percent of people report some level of fear regarding public speaking.
If your child falls into the latter category, you may be considering enrolling your child in a public speaking class for kids. Public speaking and communication skills classes can help build confidence, improve communication skills, and give students practice thinking on their feet and speaking off the cuff. These valuable skills will benefit children in school, social situations, and future careers.
Read this guide if you're considering enrolling your child in a public speaking class. We will discuss what to look for in a class, how to help your child prepare for their first speech, and more.
What Are Public Speaking Classes For Kids?
What Do Students Learn In Public Speaking Classes?
What Are The Benefits Of Public Speaking Classes For Kids?
How Does A Public Speaking Class for Kids Work?
How Can You Choose The Right Online Public Speaking Skills Class For Your Child?
What Are Public Speaking Classes For Kids?
A public speaking course can help children develop confidence in their communication skills.
In a society that increasingly relies on technology, it is more important than ever for children to learn how to communicate effectively with others. Public speaking classes for kids can help with this by providing a safe and supportive environment for students to practice their communication skills.
Most communication skills classes for kids will focus on teaching the following skills:
Confidence
One of the most important things public speaking courses can teach students is confidence. Children who are shy or lack confidence will benefit significantly from learning to speak in front of others.
Communication skills
Speaking classes can help children learn how to communicate more effectively, including articulating their thoughts and feelings and learning active listening skills.
Thinking on their feet
In a public speaking class, students will learn to think on their feet and speak off the cuff. This valuable skill will be useful in many situations, such as job interviews and networking events.
Leadership skills
Public speaking can also help children develop leadership skills. Children who can stand up in front of a group and give a speech are more likely to be successful leaders in their future careers.
What Do Students Learn In Public Speaking Classes?
In a public speaking course, students will learn to command attention, deliver a clear and concise message, and engage their audience in a fun way. Classes may also focus on specific speeches, such as persuasive, informative, or impromptu speeches.
Here are some skills your child might learn in a public speaking class:
How to project their voice
When speaking in public, it is important to speak loudly and clearly so everyone can hear, a key element of effective public speaking. Projecting the voice is a challenge for many people.
Projecting your voice doesn't mean shouting but speaking loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room. Speaking loudly can be challenging for children, especially if they are shy or introverted. However, with practice, it is a skill that can be mastered.
How to make eye contact
Another essential skill that kids learn in public speaking classes is how to make eye contact.
When we are nervous, it is natural to want to avoid eye contact. However, making eye contact is essential to public speaking because it helps to engage and connect with your audience.
Children who can make eye contact appear more confident and are more likely to hold their audience's attention.
How to use gestures
Gestures and body language can be powerful tools for communicating with an audience. When used correctly, gestures can help to emphasize important points and add interest to a presentation.
However, it's important to note that gestures should not be overused. Too many gestures can be distracting and make the speaker appear nervous or uncomfortable.
Public speaking classes will teach children how and when to use gestures effectively.
How to write a speech
A well-written speech is the key to delivering a successful presentation. To write a good speech, children must learn how to structure their thoughts and choose words carefully. Children can discover how to craft an effective speech in a public speaking class at an early age.
How to handle nerves
It's normal to feel nervous speaking in public but learning to control those nerves is crucial. If not appropriately managed, nerves can lead to problems such as fidgeting, losing your train of thought, or forgetting what you will say.
Fortunately, several techniques can help to calm nerves and boost confidence. These include deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization.
In public speaking classes, children will learn how to use these techniques to speak confidently in front of an audience.
How to use technology
In today's world, technology is becoming increasingly important in all aspects of life, including public speaking.
While some people may be apprehensive about using technology, such as a PowerPoint presentation, it can be a great way to engage an audience and add visual interest to a speech.
Children who take public speaking classes will learn how to use technology effectively and confidently.
How to handle questions from the audience
Questions from the audience can be difficult to handle, especially if they are challenging or hostile. However, children who take public speaking classes learn how to confidently answer questions from the audience, no matter what they might be.
Responding on the fly is essential, showing that you know your topic and can think on your feet.
What Are The Benefits Of Public Speaking Classes For Kids?
In today's world, communicating effectively is more important than ever. Most jobs require some form of communication, whether it be giving presentations, leading meetings, or networking at events.
By enrolling your child in public speaking classes, you can provide the foundation your child needs to develop critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills. These are skills that are essential for their future careers.
In addition, public speaking can help kids develop other life skills, such as leadership and problem-solving. These skills are valuable not only in the workplace but also in everyday life.
Becoming a good communicator can help children resolve conflicts with friends, stand up for themselves when needed, and assert their opinions in group settings.
How Does A Public Speaking Class For Kids Work?
Children will learn the basics of effective communication in a public speaking class. They will participate in engaging activities that teach them to structure their thoughts, choose their words carefully, and use gestures and body language to emphasize important points.
Children will also learn to control their nerves, engage their audience, and answer questions confidently. In addition, they will discover how to use technology, such as PowerPoint presentations, to enhance their speeches.
Most importantly, children will be able to practice what they have learned by giving speeches and receiving direct feedback from their communication coach, which will help them build confidence and become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience.
Children will learn about formal and informal speeches. They will select a topic for their speech with the guidance of their teacher. Then, they will prepare their speech. Types of speeches may include a sales speech, motivational speech, personal essay, poetry, storytelling, or book report.
The instructor will help your child develop writing skills to create and organize a speech containing an introduction, main points, and a strong conclusion.
They may work one-on-one or in small groups with a qualified instructor who will give them positive feedback and encouragement. As they progress, they will have opportunities to practice their new skills by giving speeches to larger audiences.
Public speaking classes usually run for 10-12 weeks and meet weekly.
How Can You Choose The Right Online Public Speaking Skills Class For Your Child?
When looking for an online public speaking class for your child, remember a few things.
First, look for a class taught by the highest quality teacher. The instructor should have knowledge and experience teaching public speaking and be able to provide personal feedback to your child.
In addition, look for a class that uses engaging materials, a balanced curriculum, and practical activities. The interactive course should allow your child to practice their public speaking skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Finally, make sure the class is age-appropriate for your child. Public speaking classes are typically offered for children of all ages, so you should be able to find one suitable for your child.
With your support, your child will overcome their fear of public speaking and become a confident speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a public speaking class worth it?
Public speaking is one of those skills that can be incredibly useful in a career path and personal development. Many people find public speaking daunting, but proper instruction can be a precious tool.
Public speaking classes provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment for students to learn how to articulate their thoughts. In addition, they can help kids build self-confidence and speak effectively, an essential ingredient for success in any area of life.
Research has shown that children who lack self-confidence are more likely to experience anxiety and academic difficulties. By contrast, students who feel confident in their communication ability are more likely to succeed academically and socially. For all these reasons, public speaking classes can be valuable for kids of all ages.
2. How do I prepare my child for public speaking?
As a parent, the best way to help your child prepare for public speaking is to provide opportunities to practice. Examples include:
Having them give speeches at family gatherings.
Participating in debates or writing contests.
Taking part in other public speaking opportunities.
3. What is the best age for children to enroll in a public speaking class?
The best age for attending a public speaking class is 8-18 years old. By learning how to articulate and communicate effectively, students will be better equipped to handle future challenges in school and life. They can speak up for themselves confidently if they ever find themselves in a situation where their voices need to be heard.
4. How long does it take for a child to feel confident with their public speaking?
The answer to these questions varies depending on the child. Results can be seen after as little as a few weeks, or it could take many months. Consistent attendance and practice between sessions are essential for a child to feel more confident and secure in their public speaking skills.
Why Choose Connected Speech Pathology For Your Child?
Our instructors can provide a great solution if you want help to improve your child's public speaking and presentation skills.
Our expert coaches have extensive experience teaching public speaking to children of all ages. Our instructors have met rigorous educational and clinical qualifications, including a master's degree. Additionally, our coaches have been awarded the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
They use a unique curriculum designed to engage and challenge your child. In addition, our coaches provide personal feedback and support to help your child build confidence and overcome their fears.
Our services are offered remotely, and our scheduling is flexible. We understand that finding time for extra-curricular activities can be challenging, so we offer classes at times that are convenient for you.
Please contact us today for a free consultation if you want to enroll your child in one of our public speaking classes. We would be happy to answer any questions you have.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
