I don’t know about your child, but mine talks all day long…on the phone, with her sister, and even with me to debate “mommy’s rules.” She is never at a loss for words or shy about expressing her opinions! So when I asked her to come up with a speech to present in front of her classmates, I figured how hard could it be?
I was shocked. My loquacious daughter was suddenly tongue tied and lost. It was the fear of public speaking. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. If adults can get flustered speaking in front of large groups why couldn’t a child?
Helping your children learn the art of public speaking early on in life can tremendously build your child’s confidence levels so they will never have to shake at a podium in high school or even later on in life. Children are like sponges and have an easier time learning things than adults. They are not

jaded by life, its failures and challenges so their skins are a bit thicker than ours. Starting early gives your child extra practice, training, and learning in the art of public speaking that most adults would envy. Plus children have the benefit of NOT knowing that public speaking is the greatest fear for most people. Here are a few simple tips to integrate in their everyday lives that will build confidence in public speaking and presentation skills.
1. Take advantage of “Show and Tell” in your child’s school. Encouraging your child to participate in show and tell can teach them how to captivate an audience while giving them a chance to share something that is special to them. It’s an opportunity to speak in front of your peers and keep them interested in what your child has to say.
2. Participate in Science Fairs. Most students spend weeks on their Science Fair projects so they have in depth knowledge about their subject matter. All they need is a little coaching and confidence to present their hypothesis, results, and data to the judges. Being able to talk and gesture at your Science Fair board can be as challenging as rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the same time. So practice beforehand. Keep in mind that your audience will most likely be adults instead of peers in an informal classroom setting.
3. Hold onto your heart and lead them into a Drama program. Most communities have a drama program going on all year long. Participating in a Drama (at school or even in the community) forces your child to improve the little things like diction, voice projection, memorizing lines, better eye contact, and even the use of props. It’s a great way to get over stage fright and have fun at the same time.
4. Play Toastmasters at home. Toastmasters is a unique program that helps adults improve their public speaking skills and build confidence. Place a few generic topics in a hat such as “your favorite color,” or “what would you be when you grow up” or “tell me about yourself in one minute” and gather your family around. Have each member pick out a topic and present to the rest of the family in front of a chair holding a microphone. Not only does this teach improvisation, but also how to manage a podium and technology in their delivery. After all who hasn’t been to an event where the microphone “screeches” at some point?
5. Read a chapter from a book aloud. Reading poetry and prose from classics as well as present day fiction can help children learn how to speak without mumbling. Build in gestures and voice inflections when you can. Become Cicero, or Robert Frost, or even William Shakespeare. Encourage creativity in delivery. This encourages a child to get into a character.
Of course, the most important piece is to encourage your child and build confidence whenever they succeed! Confidence is the key to powerful presentation skills. Any time your child meets a goal, overcomes an obstacle, succeeds or fails, be there to offer your support and encouragement. It'll make a bigger difference than you could ever imagine!

Volunteerism - an interesting "career" choice??

Growing up in the US, I was inspired at a young age that volunteering in schools, churches/temples, and local parks is essential to keeping the vibrancy of my community alive. My mom was very active in the PTA making sure I was in G.A.T.E. (gifted and talented education), took AP (advanced placement) courses, and advocated that music and art should be part of a child’s daily education. My dad coached Little League, brought neighbors together to help landscape each others yards, and when older offered free laughter yoga to seniors, youngsters and everyone in between.
Volunteerism isn’t just for Sunday afternoons. It can be a part time or full time career depending on where you decide to pitch in. Schools are the obvious place where parents can step in “after hours” tutoring, planning school events, coaching, and inspiring kids to be leaders. Rachel Carson said, “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder….he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Volunteering to mentor a child is a great way to keep that sense of wonder alive! Programs like Read With Me, Write With Me, Project Cornerstone, and fitness programs in the public schools are always looking for folks that can donate anywhere from 1 to 10 hours of time.
Parks are fantastic outdoor science labs to learn in and a wonderful way to teach children about the wonders of nature. Planting trees through city park planting groups, cleaning hiking trails, and cutting back brush to prevent forest fires are all ways you can participate. Along the way, you might discover a new bird or plant that you haven’t seen before. The Bay Area parks were indigenous to Ohlone Indians who left clues to their life throughout the land. A simple rock might lead you to the history of Almaden Quicksilver Park or might be an old time mortar and pestle that the Indians used for food. Being a docent not only helps to maintain the parks but reconnects you with nature in a zen kind of a way!
Food Pantries are always looking for folks to help sort food and prepare bags of bread for folks in need. Sacred Heart in San Jose has an online calendar for easy scheduling. You can even pitch in sorting clothes by sizes. Libraries are always looking for people to read to kids under age 6 and help build vocabulary skills in the newest of readers.
Volunteering is in Vogue! Googling volunteer opportunities in the Bay Area will help you find thousands of places where you can pitch in. So get out there and be your own creature of the night. Find your niche in volunteering and make a difference in someones life. You’ll be surprised to find they will make a difference in your life as well!

End Note: Manju Ramachandran is a Volunteer PTA President at Noble Elementary School, regular volunteer at a local food pantry and mother of 3. She moved out of high tech to make an impact in her community but was unprepared for how huge her volunteerism efforts have made on her personally.