At home, your child may have plenty to say. Asked to speak in front of a class, they might suddenly struggle to begin. The ideas are still there; sharing them with an audience is a separate skill to practise.
Public speaking for kids can begin with something small: explaining a favourite game to a friend or asking a question in a group. Give your child a starting point that feels achievable and an audience willing to listen.
Let drama offer a different way to begin
Try a short scene from a familiar story together. Your child could speak as a character, decide how that character feels and choose the words they would use. You might take turns so they experience being both the speaker and the listener.
One of the practical benefits of drama for children is the opportunity to rehearse expression. A scene allows them to experiment with a pause, a change in tone or a different way of delivering a line. Ask what they wanted their audience to understand, rather than focusing only on whether they remembered every word.
Use debate to practise explaining an idea
Choose a light family topic, such as which book to read together. Ask your child to make a suggestion and give a reason. Listen to their explanation before offering another view, then invite them to respond.
This is a simple way to practise expressing disagreement respectfully. Encourage phrases such as “I see your point” and “My reason is…” Let them change their mind if they hear a convincing argument. Listening belongs in the exercise as much as speaking.
Give media a role in practice
For a child who prefers to prepare first, suggest a short private audio recording about something they enjoy. They could plan an opening sentence, record it and listen back. Let them choose one thing to try differently next time.
An interview is another option. Your child could prepare two questions for a family member and practise asking a follow-up. Keep the recording optional and avoid turning a relaxed activity into a performance they must perfect.
How these opportunities develop at Regent
At Regent International School, our Performing Arts, Media & Communication programme connects drama with storytelling, journalism and public speaking. In EYFS and Years 1–2, the published pathway includes role-play, speaking and listening routines, and voice games.
In Years 3–6, opportunities include collaborative drama, communication challenges and upper-primary podcasts. Years 7–9 introduce speech writing, stage presence and peer feedback. Later phases include formal debating, TED-style talks and leadership communication.
This progression gives families several routes to explore with their child. Ask which opportunities suit their interests and current confidence, whether they enjoy acting, discussing ideas or creating a recording.
Explore Performing Arts, Media & Communication
Recognise the step your child has taken
When thinking about how to build confidence in children, notice the specific action: they asked their question, finished their explanation or tried again after losing their place. Ask how the experience felt before giving advice.
A child does not need to become the loudest person in the room. Give them time to prepare, a reason to speak and reassurance that their contribution deserves to be heard.
