Public speaking can be a massive challenge for kids. Whether it’s a mandatory classroom assignment or they’ve advanced all the way to the school finals, standing up in front of peers takes serious courage.

As a parent or teacher, helping a child prepare their school speech isn’t about turning them into miniature corporate executives. It’s about helping them find their own natural voice and build the confidence to share it.

Helping your child prepare all comes down to offering them a balance between encouragement and instruction. The aim so to make the experience feel like an exciting opportunity rather than a stressful chore.

Writing the speech

Firstly, writing a speech isn’t the same as writing an essay.  It isn’t about delivering a whole pile of facts in quick concession.  It’s not about constructing complex sentences.  Concentrate, on a relaxed and natural style of speech rather than a complex assembly of words in overly formal language.

1. Find a great opening

Focus on engaging the audience. Find interesting ways to capture attention with a great opening.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Classmates.  My name is John and today I’m going to talk about….}”, is a predictable opening, but not a good one.

Encourage your child to start with a question; state a dramatic fact; recount a personal experience; tell a story to grab attention; open with a quotation or even a riddle (providing it adds value); quote an interesting fact.  The aim is to get their classmate’s attention right from the first sentence.

2. Simplify the script for spoken English.

Reciting long complex sentences that look good on paper can leave a child breathless or tripping over their words.  Keep it simple.

• Have them read the draught to you. If they stumble over a sentence change the wording  it’s too complex.
• Rewrite it together using short sentences and everyday conversational words that feel natural and trip off the tongue easily.

3. Remember the power of the pause

When children get nervous, their natural instinct is to rush through their speech to get it over with. This often leads to mumbling, and the audience soon tunes out.

• Teach them that silence is a fun tool. Show them how to pause for a second or two after a major point, or after a funny line. Give the audience time to absorb the message. Encourage your child to make eye contact with the audience and make the most of every pause.
• Use a coloured marker to draw a little slash marks on their cue cards to remind them when to stop and take breath.

4. Practise for reality, not perfection

Memorising a speech word-for-word often backfires. Firstly, it sounds “learned off by heart”. If a child forgets a single word, they can freeze. Instead, focus on practising with bullet pointed cue cards.

• Run dress rehearsals in the living room. Make these sessions fun! Have them practise looking up to make eye contact with a few favourite stuffed animals placed around the room.
• Teach them how to stand firmly on both feet (no rocking or swaying).

5. Offer lots of encouragement. 

Admit that speech making can be stressful but, with some preparation, nerves can turn into excitment.

Practise for reality, not perfection.

Need our professional edge for the finals?

If your child’s speech has been selected for the finals, or if they’re representing their school at a competitive level, a little specialised coaching can make all the difference.

At The Occasional Speaker we offer tailored supportive one-to-one coaching designed specifically for young speakers. We don’t just teach presentation mechanics, we build lifelong communication skills, refine oral delivery skills, and help children channel their nervous energy into a happy and authentic stage presence.

Let’s make your next speech an unforgettable confidence boosting success.

Get in touch with The Occasional Speaker today to book a boutique coaching session.

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