Engaging, age-appropriate activities and tips to teach public speaking to young learners:
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Fun Icebreaker Activities like ; "Show and Tell" with a Twist (The children bring a favorite toy/book and describe it in 3 sentences)
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Creative Storytelling; Puppet Theater (Let kids use hand puppets to retell a fairy tale or make up their own story) / Picture Prompts (Show a funny or fantastical image and ask them some questions)
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Movement-Based Speaking; like "Follow the Leader" Speech (One child strikes a pose and says, "I’m brave because…" Others copy and add their own line) / Emotion Charades (Act out emotions (happy, scared) while saying a sentence).
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Simple Public Speaking Tips for Kids; like "Big Voice, Big Smile" Rule (Practice speaking loud enough for the class to hear, paired with a smile) / Magic Words (Teach openings/closings: "Hello friends!" and "Thank you for listening) / Balloon Breathing (Inhale deeply (pretend to blow up a balloon), exhale slowly to calm nerves).
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Confidence-Building Games; like Pass the Mic (Use a toy microphone. Each child says one word to build a silly group story).
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Mini "Speech" Ideas; like My Favorite Thing (30 seconds): "I love pizza because…" / If I Were… (10 seconds): "If I were a dinosaur, I’d…"