Fear of public speaking is common among children as well as adults. In a classroom full of children, gathering the courage to speak up is a daunting task for many. However, communicating effectively is not a nice to have skill anymore, it is an essential skill for today’s children as they are living in a fast paced world where no-one has the time to sit and listen to what others need.
Acquiring effective communication skills leads children to academic and social skills. Learning public speaking and communication skills help your child to overcome the fear and build up courage. When they speak up they become more self’-confident. Furthermore, effective communication skills increase your child’s influencing skills. If given proper attention in building up this crucial skill, you will see your child’s leadership skills boosting up.
Whatever the age of your child is, encouraging effective communication skills will help prepare them towards a successful adulthood.
1. Talk about their interests
Discussing about your child’s interests is the best way to keep them talking. It does not matter whether their interest is in online games, computers, sports or cartoons. When you show your enthusiasm to know more about their interests, they get encouraged to communicate more. This also has an added adavantage of them sharing more about their lives with you.
2. A pat in the back
Kids pay attention to their small achievements. My 11 year old comes to me for affirmation of every single event he considers his achievement. Most of the time, their achievements may not look like milestones to us. But, this is an opportunity where you could encourage them to speak more about their achievement. Ask them how they achieved that task, conquered that fear or solved that problem. This will not only help them to articulate better, but also to improve their self awareness.
3. Talk about current affairs
Current affairs and news are not directly related to us on a personal level in most cases. Discussions around current affairs will help your child to express their viewpoints without any inhibition. This is especially beneficial when you are talking to a timid child.
Recently, I had a discussion with my kids regarding drug abuse. The starting point was an article that carried photos of people before and after they started using drugs. This not only helped them express their viewpoints, but also created awareness and general knowledge.
4. Involve your child in decision making
The joy of of being valued can stir up confidence from unknown corners. Involve your child when you make decisions, they will feel empowered to contribute more. Their first lessons of brainstorming start here. As part of this, they will also learn how to consider varying viewpoints while making decisions.
5. Share a meal
Don’t we meet people over a meal to have nice conversations, both on a personal and professional level? Dinner tables are great places to make people loosen up and share their views. This is also an inexpensive way to get your kids talk without inhibitions. Many studies have also proved that eating together helps children to form better relationship with their parents. Do you use the ‘Non-judgemental dinner table rule’? That is, you don’t ask challenging questions like “Why did you do that?” for any topic that is brought on to the dinner table. This will encourage your child to open up more. Do you have a dinner table rule?
You can also introduce them to public speaking when they are ready. Once they get to know more about public speaking and the myths surrounding it, they will be more open to pick up and learn that skill.
Share this article with your friends and colleagues, so that they too are aware of this amidst their busy schedules.
Do you have any insights or tips that you use? Would you like to share that? Please use the comments section below and let us know!
About Sindu Sreebhavan
Sindu Sreebhavan is the founder of As Many Minds Minds Pte Ltd and the founding Chief Editor of The Kidz Parade Edutainment magazine, Asia's premium publication for cultivating creativity and creative writing in children. Sindu is also the founder and the Chairperson of International Youth Leadership and Innovation Forum (IYLIF). Sindu is the author of 'Infinite Possibilities' and the lead co-author of Amazon bestseller 'Breakthrough'. With a passion to infuse innovation in education and inject growth mindset and innovative mindset in people and organisations, Sindu writes, speaks and consults on innovation and creativity in business and education. She says innovation does not start with invention, it starts with a mindset. “The best gift you can give a child is the power of Confidence, Creativity and Communication” is her tagline. She is passionate about educating educators, parents and children about youth development, youth leadership, education innovation and 21st century education. She supports children, parents, schools and several organisations in these areas.
