The class looks up. Julian is standing by the blackboard, his heart is racing, his mouth is dry. He is about to give his presentation on sewage treatment plants. Then he remembers what he practised at home: «Imagine you're a mighty T-Rex. That's how you walk forward,» his father advised him.
Julian lifts his head, straightens up, feels the strength in his legs and takes a deep breath into his muscular dinosaur chest before he begins to speak. Not perfect, but with poise. What Julian is experiencing this morning is something many children are familiar with. Whether it's a presentation, reciting a poem or putting one's hand up to speak: speaking in front of others is one of the greatest tests of courage during school days.
Although such speaking situations are already practised in the lower years, that doesn't mean they are easy. Some children enjoy being the centre of attention, whilst others prefer to watch quietly. Temperament, language development and previous experiences play a major role in this.
What can parents do if their child struggles with speaking in public, or if the thought of giving a presentation or reading from a book makes their son or daughter break out in a cold sweat? These tips from voice and speech training can also help schoolchildren:
1. Reinterpreting the feeling
Stage fright isn't a fault, but a bodily warning signal that prepares us for an important situation. Your heart pounds, your hands sweat, your pulse races; just like before you get on a rollercoaster. Parents can help their child reframe this excitement: «The feeling you're having right now is the same one people feel before they get on a big rollercoaster. Others pay an admission fee for this thrill.»
Anyone who prioritises the content over themselves will automatically become calmer.
Trying to suppress nervousness only makes it worse. It's like lying awake at night. The more you force yourself to fall asleep, the more awake you become. When children learn to see physical arousal not as an enemy but as a source of energy, tension turns into concentration.
2. Using your body as an ally
Excitement is an inevitable part of life, but it can be managed physically. Children don't need complicated exercises to do this – just images that give them strength. «Imagine you're a strong T-Rex. That's how you walk up to the blackboard.» This visualisation alone changes their posture and breathing. Their shoulders roll back, their gaze lifts, and their voice finds its range.
Music can help too: a song in your head that gives you energy – such as «Unstoppable» by Sia or ‘Let It Go» from the Disney film «Frozen» – and suddenly moving forward becomes something you actively shape, rather than something that just happens to you. These little embodiment tricks help pull the child out of the spiral of fear. Because when you feel strong, you no longer just think about speaking; you live it.
3. Change your focus
Many children see presentations as a test of their performance: What do the others think of me? How does my voice sound? Do I look silly? But a presentation isn't a beauty contest. It's a service for the class. It's not about asking, «How do I come across?», but rather, «What about my topic might interest the others?»
This slight shift in perspective – away from self-consciousness and towards focusing on the audience – takes the pressure off and replaces it with a sense of purpose. Anyone who prioritises the content over themselves automatically becomes more relaxed.
How parents can encourage their children to speak up in everyday life
The courage to speak up doesn't come from public speaking lessons, but from the many small moments when children realise: I'm allowed to express myself. A phone call to the dentist to book a check-up. A joke at a family meal. A magic trick in front of the birthday party guests. Anything that demands attention builds self-confidence.
And there are plenty of opportunities for this in everyday life: in a restaurant, a child should be allowed to order for themselves – even if it takes a little longer. Or they might ask where something is in a shop. Sometimes it's enough simply to collect the tickets from the cinema box office or place an order at the ice-cream parlour. Such situations may seem insignificant, but they teach children that when they speak up, something good happens.
It is important not to overwhelm the children. Some children are so shy that even minor speaking situations can be too much for them. In such cases, it is not encouragement that helps, but rather taking the pressure off them, humour and a sense of security. Confidence does not grow from pressure, but from trust.
Often, the hesitation isn't due to speaking itself, but to the fact that children feel uncomfortable around strangers. They don't know what to expect and therefore prefer to keep to themselves. When adults take such insecurities seriously, they become less intimidating.
The more often a child feels that their voice matters, the more naturally they will speak.
Instead of saying, «Why don't you just order your ice cream yourself!», you can practise together in a playful way. Role-play creates a safe space where the child can try things out. Sometimes it's enough simply to go to the ice-cream parlour together the first time, and the next time to dare to give a nod or say a quick «thank you». With every small step, their confidence grows and speaking becomes a little more natural.
Word games such as ‘Taboo», «Pictionary» or «Who Am I?» help children practise explaining things spontaneously in front of others. Praise their courage, not just the result. And feel free to talk about your own nervousness too; this offers encouragement on an equal footing. The more often children experience that their voice matters, the more natural speaking becomes.
In the end, it's experience that counts, not perfection
Courage doesn't come from encouragement, but from repetition. Once you've experienced that you can speak even when your knees are shaking, you carry that feeling with you into every new situation. Because self-confidence doesn't grow when everything goes smoothly. It grows when we realise: I can handle this. And I have something to say.
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