If you had to meet a Ridge boy out there in the real world, you would likely come across an articulate, self-assured and well-spoken young man. Our boys are trained to be good public speakers through a variety of activities. Let’s take a closer look at the top five benefits of public speaking for children.
1. Better Communicators
Public speaking prepares children from an early age to be better communicators. It encourages them to think carefully about what they want to say and express it in an articulate manner. Practising public speaking teaches children to formulate their speech and pronounce their words clearly. It also trains them to become better listeners since they have to listen carefully to opposing viewpoints and formulate a response.
2. Confidence & Leadership Qualities
It is natural and very common for children to feel nervous or afraid to speak in front of an audience. At The Ridge School, we gently coach our young boys to break through their fear, and we give them coping strategies to help them speak confidently. The process that goes into preparing a public speech also gives them leadership qualities such as decision making, organising and planning, responsibility and endurance.
3. Improved Academic Performance
Involvement in public speaking activities can help children excel in their academics too, as it stimulates the whole brain and enhances all areas of life. Public speaking will teach them how to conduct research and think outside the box to come up with good answers to thought-provoking questions.
4. Ability To Voice Opinions
Shy children often struggle to express themselves or assert their opinion because they feel intimidated by others or fear their thoughts might be considered ‘wrong’. Public speaking will teach them how to present their point of view in a proactive way, and they could end up becoming highly influential people.
5. Critical Thinking & Analysis
Through public speaking, children learn to analyse information, interpret it in their own way and question all aspects of an idea or statement. It guides them towards a way of thinking that is not one-dimensional, and this ultimately helps grow them into more well-rounded individuals who take a metered, rational approach to problem-solving. Public speaking will open your child’s mind to a world of knowledge of different ways of viewing life.
Our English department at The Ridge School immerses boys in interactive cultural projects emphasising speaking and presenting as important aspects of the syllabus. Beyond the classroom, we participate in the inter-school Chatterbox Public Speaking meetings, where our learners get to associate with girls and boys from other schools and delight audiences with interesting, well-delivered speeches. Our talented boys often come away beaming at their well-earned Gold or Silver speaking awards.
Help your child overcome his fear of public speaking and grow in leaps and bounds. Call The Ridge School in Westcliffe, Johannesburg at 011 481 5800 to enrol him in a school that cares about whole-child development.