Public Speaking Classes for Kids: What They Teach and How to Choose One
Public speaking classes for kids are lessons where children practice speaking and receive feedback on how to speak clearly. Some children know what they want to say and still go quiet, whisper, or rush when it's their turn to talk in class. For many of them, regular practice with specific feedback can make speaking up easier.
In this article, you'll learn what these classes teach, what age to start, how group classes compare with one-on-one coaching, what to look for in a good class, and when a child needs a different kind of help. This article is for parents whose child struggles to speak in front of a group or feels uncomfortable doing so.
A class that matches your child's age and comfort level can build communication skills they can use in book reports, class discussions, and later in job interviews and at work. A poor fit can make a nervous child dread speaking in front of others even more.
Key Takeaways
What they are: Public speaking classes for kids work on public speaking skills with feedback on delivery, eye contact, and how kids organize their ideas.
When to start: Children are ready at different ages, so consider how comfortable your child is speaking with others along with the ages a program accepts.
Format: Group classes provide practice with peers, while one-on-one coaching provides private practice focused on your child's needs.
Choosing a class: Look for one-on-one coaching or small groups, experienced teachers, plenty of opportunities to speak, and clear feedback on what your child does well and can improve.
What Are Public Speaking Classes for Kids?
What Public Speaking Skills Do Kids Learn in Class?
What Age Should a Child Start Public Speaking Classes?
How Do You Choose the Right Public Speaking Class for Your Child?
When Is It More Than Public Speaking Nerves?
What We See Working with Clients
What Are Public Speaking Classes for Kids?
Public speaking classes for kids are lessons in which children practice speaking and receive feedback from an instructor. Children and teens can work on short talks, storytelling, and answering questions. Classes can mix short skill lessons with fun, interactive activities and plenty of opportunities to practice speaking.
Children can join a small-group class, practice one-on-one with a communication coach, or get speaking practice through an activity such as a debate team or drama club. You'll also see programs described as speech classes for kids or public speaking courses for kids. Online classes can include the same kinds of activities in live sessions from home.
Children can work on one public speaking skill at a time. After giving a short talk, a child has experience to draw on and feedback about what to keep doing or work on next.
What Public Speaking Skills Do Kids Learn in Class?
In a public speaking class, children and teens can develop public speaking skills that make a talk easier to follow. Classes can cover the skills below, and students can practice them during speaking activities.
Organizing ideas: Putting the main points of a good speech in an order that listeners can follow. Some older students practice making a case for a debate, which can develop critical thinking.
Using their voice: Speaking at a volume listeners can hear, using a steady pace and vocal expression, and pausing when needed.
Eye contact and body language: Practicing where to look while speaking and using gestures and facial expressions that match what they are saying.
Handling nerves: Using preparation, practice, and breathing strategies when they feel nervous about speaking.
Speaking without a script: Using short notes instead of reading every word, and speaking about a topic they didn't prepare in advance.
Answering questions: Listening to the whole question, pausing to gather their thoughts, and practicing how to give clear answers confidently.
Listening to others: Practicing active listening. Kids pay attention to other speakers and notice what makes them easy or hard to follow.
What Age Should a Child Start Public Speaking Classes?
Kids are ready to start public speaking classes at different ages. Age ranges vary by program, and some start at age 5. Signs that a child is ready can include taking turns, speaking briefly about something they know, and listening while others talk.
Younger learners can start with storytelling, show-and-tell, and fun speaking games. School-age children can practice speaking tasks from English class and other subjects, such as presenting a book report, explaining a topic, or giving a simple persuasive speech. Teens can work on class presentations, debates, and job or college interviews.
Public Speaking for Teens: Expert Tips to Boost Confidence
A guide for parents on reasons some teens struggle with presentations and the skills that can make class talks easier.
How Do You Choose the Right Public Speaking Class for Your Child?
A public speaking class should be at your child's comfort level and give every student regular opportunities to speak. Start by considering the type of class that best fits your child, then ask a few questions about each program before you sign up.
Group Class, One-on-One Coaching, or a Club?
A group class can work well for a child who is ready to speak in front of peers. One-on-one coaching can work well for a child who feels nervous in a group but is ready to practice, has a specific skill to build, or is preparing for an upcoming presentation, interview, or other speaking event.
| Format | What it looks like | Often a good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Group class | A small group of students taking turns giving talks and getting feedback | Kids who are ready to speak in front of peers and enjoy working with others |
| One-on-one coaching | A coach and one child, with every session built around that child's goals | Kids who feel nervous in a group, kids with one specific goal, and kids preparing for an upcoming presentation or interview |
| Clubs and activities | Debate teams, drama clubs, and youth speaking clubs that meet on a regular schedule | Kids who already enjoy speaking and want more practice and a little competition |
| Connected Speech Pathology | connectedspeechpathology.com | ||
In a group class, a child can practice speaking with peers, similar to speaking in front of classmates at school. Some programs keep groups to about six students, which can give each child more turns to speak and more feedback. Practice and seeing classmates work on similar skills can help students build confidence.
In one-on-one coaching, a child can start by speaking just to the coach, which can make early practice feel more comfortable. The coach offers personalized guidance and can set learning goals with your child, such as using enough volume to be heard or answering a question even when nervous.
Children who already feel confident speaking in front of others can try clubs and activities, such as a debate team or drama club. Some Toastmasters clubs, which mostly serve adults, also run a Youth Leadership Program where teens practice prepared and impromptu speeches. Activities like these can provide regular speaking practice, and some children join a club after getting experience in a class or with a coach.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign Up
Look for a public speaking program that provides feedback in a supportive environment and has teachers experienced in working with children in your child's age group. Ask each program the questions below.
How many students are in each class? Smaller groups can give each student more chances to speak.
How often will my child speak? Ask how many chances each student gets to speak or answer questions during class.
Who teaches it? Look for a patient teacher who has experience with children's public speaking classes.
What kind of feedback do children get? Useful feedback is specific about what the child did well and what they can improve, such as “you looked at the audience while you spoke” or “slow down at the start.”
How are students grouped? Ask whether the program considers ages, experience, and skill level.
Can my child try a class before we sign up? Ask whether the program can offer a free trial class or another way to see if it's a good fit for your child.
Prices vary widely, so compare the cost per session, how many times a week your child attends, and what the price includes. Some online group courses cost less per lesson than private coaching.
When Is It More Than Public Speaking Nerves?
Nerves before a presentation are common, but some signs suggest a difficulty beyond public speaking. Children with speech or language difficulties, or communication challenges related to ADHD, sometimes need support beyond a public speaking class.
The signs below may indicate speech or language concerns that a speech therapist can evaluate. If you have broader concerns about attention or behavior, talk with your child's pediatrician.
Your child stutters during everyday conversation, not only when speaking in front of a group. Stuttering can include repeating sounds, stretching sounds, or getting stuck on words. In stuttering therapy for kids, a child can work on communication during everyday conversations.
Teachers, other adults, and classmates often have trouble understanding your child during everyday conversations, not only during public speaking.
Your child knows the idea they want to share but has trouble putting it into words or organizing their thoughts.
Your child often loses track of the topic, talks at length without getting to the point, or interrupts. Some children and teens with ADHD have these communication difficulties.
Some children work with a speech therapist and also join a public speaking class when the class is a good fit for them. The speech therapist can help you decide whether to work on speech or language needs before or alongside public speaking.
For some children, fear goes well beyond ordinary public speaking nerves. These children can show intense distress or physical symptoms before speaking situations. If fear is severe or keeps your child from everyday activities, start with your child's doctor or a licensed mental health professional to discuss whether anxiety should be evaluated.
What We See Working with Clients
Our coaches, who are licensed speech therapists, work one-on-one with children and teens who want to feel more comfortable speaking in class. The examples below are based on real clients we have worked with. Identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
One 10-year-old girl knew what she wanted to say but read her book reports in a whisper with her eyes on the page. Her teacher said classmates couldn't hear her, and she had started to dread days when she had to give a presentation.
We focused on organizing her talks with a beginning, middle, and end, having her speak from short notes rather than a full script, and giving short talks on topics she chose. By the end of the school year, she was giving her book reports from notes instead of reading from a script. She still felt nervous beforehand, but her teacher said she spoke loudly enough for her classmates to hear her more easily.
A 13-year-old boy with ADHD had many ideas to share, but he struggled to keep his presentations focused and often spoke longer than his allotted time. His classmates had trouble following his presentations, and his grades on oral reports were lower than his grades on written work.
Sessions focused on choosing his main point, creating a simple outline based on that point, and practicing timed talks so he could notice when he went off topic. His classmates were better able to follow his presentations. He still went off topic now and then, but he usually noticed when it happened and got back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Speaking for Kids
1. Are public speaking classes worth it for kids?
Public speaking classes can be worth it for children who need more practice speaking in front of others. A good class gives regular speaking practice and useful feedback while matching your child's age and comfort level. Regular practice with feedback can help children feel more comfortable speaking during class discussions, presentations, and group projects.
2. How long does it take a child to feel more comfortable speaking?
How long it takes to feel more comfortable varies from child to child. Children can gradually gain confidence with regular practice, including practice between sessions. Refusing to go or getting upset before every session is a reason to look into what is causing the distress before deciding whether to continue.
3. Are online public speaking classes good for kids?
Online classes can be a good fit for some children and teens. A live online class can give children an audience, chances to speak, and feedback. Those who are more nervous find it easier to start from home. For children who have trouble staying focused in screen-based sessions, shorter sessions or an in-person class can be worth considering.
4. How can I help my child practice public speaking at home?
You can help by giving your child brief, low-pressure chances to speak. Your child can tell family and friends about their day, explain a game's rules to someone else, or, if they are comfortable, record a short practice video and watch it with you. Give specific positive feedback about a success, such as speaking loudly enough to be heard or looking up from their notes while speaking.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help
At Connected Speech Pathology, our licensed speech therapists coach children on public speaking and offer communication coaching in live online sessions. Each plan is based on your child's goals, such as speaking clearly in class, using notes during a talk, or preparing for an interview.
Sessions can use an upcoming presentation as an opportunity to practice, but the goal extends beyond a single event. We help children and teens improve communication skills they can use in class and in other activities.
Our speech therapists are trained to recognize signs of speech or language needs, such as difficulty producing certain sounds clearly or expressing ideas in words.
We also offer online speech therapy for children who need help with speech sounds or language in addition to their public speaking goals.
Summary
Public speaking classes for kids can give children regular practice speaking in front of a group. Children and teens receive feedback on how they organize ideas, speak clearly, and handle nerves.
Group classes, one-on-one coaching, and clubs, such as debate, can fit different comfort levels, speaking needs, and goals. A communication coach can help your child practice speaking effectively in class talks, discussions, interviews, and other speaking situations.
About the Author
Allison Geller, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a communication coach, speech-language pathologist, and founder of Connected Speech Pathology, an international online practice providing professional communication coaching and speech therapy for children, teens, and adults. With more than two decades of experience, she has worked in medical and educational settings and published research on aphasia. Today, she leads a team of specialists who help clients improve their skills in public speaking, vocal presence, accent clarity, articulation, language, fluency, and interpersonal communication.
