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The Art of Public Speaking — A Useful Skill to Help Your Child Get Ahead in Life By: V. Saravana Kumar

“Speech is power; speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The power of speech is immense, and public speaking is one of the most crucial life skills for children. It can shape their future and help them communicate effectively with others. Great speakers, like Swami Vivekananda, have inspired millions with their powerful speeches, such as his iconic address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Why Public Speaking Matters for Kids

So, why is public speaking for kids so essential? Here are some key benefits:

• It boosts confidence in communicating with others.
• It helps overcome the fear and anxiety of expressing opinions.
• It encourages children to improve their reading and listening skills.
• It enhances academic performance and knowledge.
• It strengthens leadership and management abilities.
• It teaches valuable life skills like planning, discipline, and time management.
• It promotes logical and analytical thinking.

While some children are naturally adept at public speaking, many feel nervous at the thought of addressing a crowd. If your child is reluctant to speak in front of others, or if you want to improve their public speaking skills, here are some valuable tips to help them develop this essential skill:

1. Listen to Great Speeches
   A great way to learn public speaking skills is by listening to those who have mastered the craft. If you’re searching for good schools that emphasize public speaking, consider finding schools that expose students to great speakers, either in person or via digital platforms. This can spark an interest in your child to develop their own speaking abilities.
2. Encourage Reading
   Reading is the best way to expand a child’s vocabulary and understanding of language. It also helps them learn to form sentences and phrases more effectively. Encourage your child to read books and newspapers to build clarity in their speech. This will strengthen their ability to communicate confidently, a trait that will also be nurtured at best schools where reading programs are given importance.
3. Train with Peers
   Encourage your child to join a public speaking group or form one with friends. This kind of practice environment, where children listen to each other’s speeches and offer feedback, is ideal for building confidence. Check for nearby CBSE schools that support extracurricular activities like this or look into top 10 schools in Kolkata that foster such group learning environments.
4. Learn to Tell Stories
   Children who master storytelling become engaging public speakers. Encourage your child to read stories from sources like Panchatantra, Jataka Tales, or Aesop’s Fables, and teach them how to weave these stories into their speeches. This will not only entertain their audience but also teach them how to captivate attention—an important skill taught in top-rated CBSE schools.
5. Add Humour to Speeches
   Humour is a powerful tool in public speaking. Teaching your child how to incorporate humour into their speeches can make them more relatable and engaging. Keep a list of good jokes and encourage your child to use them at appropriate times.
6. Seize Every Opportunity
   Encourage your child to participate in every opportunity to speak in front of an audience. Schools provide many opportunities, from class presentations to competitions like elocution, debates, and discussions. These activities are great platforms for honing public speaking skills. If you’re looking for affordable CBSE schools that offer such opportunities, ensure they include regular speaking activities in their curriculum.
7. Consistent Practice
   As with any skill, practice makes perfect. Ask your child to practice speaking in front of a mirror or record their speech and play it back for self-assessment. This will help them work on their pronunciation, body language, and confidence.