March 22, 2010

Help Your Child To Overcome The Fear Of Speaking In Public

by Brian Whitefield

The fear of public speaking can usually be noticed in school-aged children by their teachers. Being reluctant to raise their hands to answer a question or not wanting to get up in front of the class even during show-and-tell in kindergarten are signs of nervousness at being the center of attention. Most of these children are shy to begin with, and this can make them more anxious in school and in other social settings. As a parent of a child who presents these fears, it is important to work with your child on their communication skills to help them become more self-confident.

Kids who don't have a dread of speaking publicly are far more inclined to achieve superior grades in school. If they are not afraid to ask questions, they'll learn more and will avoid making errors and wasting time. If kids do not have a fear of addressing a crowd, then they also will be better at giving presentations and taking part more in classroom discussions, in addition to overall classroom work.

A youngster that has no dread of speaking in public also tends to be more willing to become involved in social activities. There are lots of supplementary activities that kids can take part in, and the majority of these will require teamwork or working with others in some capacity. Children who have self-assurance when addressing groups will typically perform better in teams and can step up to a leadership position more easily than the ones who are timid.

Research has shown that a fear of public speaking can lead to unhappiness and stress, especially in the days leading up to making a presentation. This kind of anxiety can lead to many sleepless nights, distractions and mood changes. Children who are comfortable standing up in front of others and sharing their thoughts will sleep better at night and have a happier time in school and in their lives.

Having a fear of public speaking at a young age can make success more difficult to come by. If your child struggles to participate and feel comfortable in groups, then you may want to look at different ways to eliminate or at least reduce that level of anxiety. Success in school at a young age can pave the way for success in life later on, and the tools that a child receives when he or she is younger can be more effectively used when they are older as well. Help your kids put that fear of speaking in public to rest.

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