Conquering stage fright 10 tip to help kids overcome public speaking anxiety

Public speaking not only enhances a child's self-confidence but also significantly helps them become better leaders. Public speaking aids children in overcoming their fear of speaking, which is important for developing leadership abilities. It is an integral part of today's life, involving the delivery of important topics in front of audiences, whether small or large. The primary objective of public speaking is to capture the audience's attention and persuade them with the speaker's intended message. However, this task takes work. Stage fright is a major obstacle preventing children from conquering their fear of public speaking. When confronted with this fear, children often experience anxiety, rapid breathing, dry mouth, and a constricted throat. These symptoms are common indicators of stage fright in children. By overcoming their anxiety around public speaking, children can strengthen their self-esteem and become more sociable, in contrast to their previous tendencies of allowing fear to control them.

 

UNDERSTANDING STAGE FRIGHT IN CHILDREN:

Stage fright, which refers to the fear of public speaking, is common in children. High expectations are often the leading cause of stage fright in kids, but other factors, such as a sense of embarrassment, contribute to this fear. These factors can significantly lower a child's confidence. During a performance, children may excessively worry about how others will perceive and judge them, which can further aggravate their stage fright. Some potential causes of stage fright in children include:

 

1. Unrealistic self-assessment

2. Underestimation of their capabilities

3. Overestimation of others' opinions

4. Overestimation of their ideas.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR KIDS:

 

Public speaking skills are essential for a child's academic and personal development because they help children:

 

1. Enhance their critical thinking abilities.

2. Develop their self-confidence.

3. Improve their communication skills.

4. Sharpen their memory.

5. Build leadership qualities.

6. Overcome the fear of speaking.

 

All these qualities play a vital role in shaping a child's personality. Public speaking also significantly contributes to a child's academic journey. During their academic years, students must possess high confidence and practical communication skills. This enables them to express their viewpoints clearly, and public speaking is the primary means to achieve this. Furthermore, these public speaking skills greatly assist children's future personal development. One's confidence distinguishes a strong personality, and public speaking instils and nurtures this quality. The benefits of public speaking include:

 

1. Improved communication: Public speaking greatly assists children in enhancing their communication skills. Once they overcome the fear of stage fright, they can easily express their thoughts and opinions to anyone, enabling better understanding and connection with others.

 

2. Self-confidence: Public speaking also plays a crucial role in boosting children's self-confidence to its fullest potential. Through public speaking, children can develop a high level of self-assurance, allowing them to deliver any performance in front of an audience confidently.

 

3. Leadership ability: Public speaking empowers children to cultivate leadership qualities, as strong communication skills enable leaders to establish a human connection. By effectively conveying passion and vulnerability when appropriate, leaders can foster relatability. This leadership mindset holds significant importance in shaping a child's personality and ensuring a brighter future.

EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES TO HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME STAGE FRIGHT:

 

Tip 1: Start small with familiar audiences.

Children should begin by speaking in front of a small group of people. This allows them to gain confidence and easily overcome the fear of stage fright.

 

Tip 2: Be an active and respectful listener.

Train yourself to ask open-ended questions that prompt your child to explain their thoughts.

 

Tip 3: Encourage deep breathing exercises and public speaking practice.

When children feel nervous, they often find it helpful to engage in breathing exercises. These exercises can help them overcome hesitation and fear.

 

Tip 4: Visualize success and positive outcomes.

Public speaking can benefit children, such as boosting their confidence and self-esteem. These positive outcomes have a proven impact on a child's personality.

 

Tip 5: Use relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation.

Public speaking helps children relax their muscles when stressed about their communication skills. At such times, children can take deep breaths to relax.

 

Tip 6: Appreciate your child's efforts.

Even if your child stumbles a bit, it is important to appreciate their efforts. What matters most is that they gave their best.

 

Tip 7: Teach the power of body language and eye contact.

Public speaking teaches children the importance of body language. Eye contact, in particular, is considered one of the most effective forms of communication.

 

Tip 8: Utilize storytelling techniques to engage the audience.

Public speaking teaches children how to utilise storytelling skills to captivate and persuade the audience with their ideas.

 

Tip 9: Encourage joining public speaking clubs or classes.

Public speaking classes for children are crucial for their personality development. Parents should encourage their children to join such courses early to help them overcome stage fright and demonstrate strong communication skills in front of an audience. These clubs and classes also play a significant role in boosting children's self-confidence.

 

Tip 10: Foster a supportive and encouraging environment at home and school.

Creating a supportive environment at home allows children to learn the art of public speaking more easily.

 

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES: REAL-LIFE SUCCESS STORIES:

 

The selection of the role of Humayun for the play "Rakshabandhan - the bond of Love" took place during an English class. All the students had to read one page aloud for the auditions. Shrey enjoyed reading but didn't want to play the lead role due to extreme stage fright. Just the thought of going on stage was enough to make him nervous. However, despite his nervousness, he read his part obediently.

 

The following day, the teacher announced the list of students chosen for the play. Shrey had been selected to play the role of Humayun. He was scared but knew he had no other choice.

 

He went home and talked to his elder brother Shivam about being selected for the play. "Will I be able to go on stage? Is it even possible? It's an impossible task for me. I will fail miserably," Shrey expressed his concerns.

 

Shivam told Shrey, "Shrey if we approach any activity with a negative attitude, it drains the energy needed to complete the task. So always maintain a positive mindset." Shivam was always a source of inspiration and comfort for him. He added, "Okay, tell me, what's the worst that could happen?"

 

After pondering it, Shrey answered, "I might forget my lines on stage. The audience will laugh at me." Shivam said, "Do you know, whenever I am scared, I try to find something positive in the situation, which is the key to fearlessness? In this situation, if the audience laughs, you should see it as your way of entertaining them. And remember, only you know the dialogue, not the audience. So if you forget your lines, say something similar to your dialogue. There's no need to be scared. Don't lose your confidence; don't worry about what the audience or other people might think of you. I am sure you can do it." Hearing this, Shrey gained a new perspective and strength. He was now eager to make a sincere effort and memorise his lines. He began practising daily - while walking, on the way to school, during lunch breaks, before bed, and on weekends. Initially, it was challenging for him to remember the long sentences, but gradually he could memorise everything.

 

Eventually, the day of the play arrived. The play was scheduled to be performed twice that day. The first show was for the students, and the repeat show was for family and friends.

 

During the first show, Shrey took the stage with complete confidence. The play was executed smoothly, and Shrey's dialogues received applause, which pleased him. With the success of the first show, Shrey's self-confidence increased tremendously.

 

Now, the repeat show began. Once again, the performance was going smoothly when, suddenly, Shrey forgot his dialogue. However, he did not panic. Shivam's voice echoed in his ears, reminding him, "Only you know the dialogues, not the audience. So, if you forget them midway, you have to say something similar to your dialogue. Do not worry about what the audience or others will think of you." Remaining calm, within a few moments, he recalled his lines. He even noticed that when he forgot his lines, the audience neither reacted negatively nor laughed at him. On the contrary, they applauded his performance wholeheartedly. What mattered most to him was that his parents and Shivam were in attendance.

 

The following week, Shrey's fellow students complimented him, saying, "You performed well," "Too good!" or "Wonderful." However, these compliments held no importance for Shrey in comparison to the achievement of overcoming his fear. He felt grateful to his elder brother, who had inspired and taught him to conquer his fears.

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS IN KIDS:

Join Talentgum on a captivating journey of words that combines learning and fun. We offer specialised online courses and classes led by the best mentors and experts, ensuring holistic development for your child. Talentgum comprises passionate individuals who share a common interest in enhancing the quality of children's learning through an enjoyable experience. We provide a range of public speaking courses and classes for kids guided by top mentors and experts.

 

Public speaking plays a crucial role in a child's personality development, and it also benefits their academic performance since practical communication skills are universally required. Moreover, public speaking helps children boost their self-confidence, self-esteem, and leadership abilities. Parents should support their children in acquiring this skill and consider enrolling them in general speaking classes to enhance their prospects.