Impromptu Speaking for Kids

Kids may be required to deliver an impromptu speech for an elocution contest or on any other occasion in school. Usually this is a frightful experience.

Public speech should not be a daunting assignment for the child, and we as parents and teachers need to help them prepare for the events, practically and emotionally. Here's how:

For impromptu speaking in schools children typically have the freedom to choose their own topics. Having chosen the topic or subject of the speech, it can be researched upon and then the actual content can be developed.

While planning the speech, a parent or teacher can help the child to emphasize on important points and refine the speech for a better impact on the audience and judges.

It needs to be remembered that an impromptu speech is delivered without much preparation or thought ahead of time. In other words a child is not given lot of time to plan, write and practice the speech. In some cases, it may also come as a surprise in the class, when the child is asked to deliver a speech after only a couple of minutes. At such times kids just have to brainstorm topics of interest for the speech.

Impromptu speaking can be informative, but a really good speech also evokes some emotion in the audience. If you get to help your child to plan and prepare the speech, consider whether the child needs to convince, inspire, amuse, or enlighten the audience. This again becomes evident once the topic and theme of speech has been chosen and for an impromptu speech to be delivered in a day or two, you need to do it real quick!

A few tips for kids to master impromptu speaking:

Examine the topic: Does the speech topic lend itself well to a comparison? Or maybe to some demonstrations? Concentrate on one method to prepare the speech outline.

Speaker’s strengths: Is the child best at making people laugh or explaining things to them? Identifying strengths can help organize thoughts.

Make an outline: The child can pick several points around the topic and organize them while also keeping a great line for ending the impromptu speech.

Practice the beginning and ending: These are the most stressful parts of any speech, and very critical when it comes to effective delivery.

Be relaxed: The child should wrap up his/her practice at least a few minutes before the final speech. It is important to have time to reflect and relax.

Finally, for a successful speech, children should also concentrate on their diction and tone. The mind cannot think about too many things at once, so it is good to think about enunciating the words properly and controlling tone.

Explain to your child that they should try to remain as calm as possible and to stay in control on his/her impromptu speech. Ultimately it's this confidence that will help ultimately impress the audience.

A last word to parents and teachers: please remember that Rome wasn't built over night. Public speaking takes many hours and lots of patient listening and support to master - so stay patient with your kids.