5 THINGS that parents can start doing to play a more significant role in developing the public speaking skills of their child. If you are a parent and wish that your child learns to share their thoughts and feelings with confidence, you may find this useful.

1. 5 THINGSparents can start doing to play a more
significant role in developing the
public speaking skills of their child

2. About this presentation
• In 2012-13, I conducted an online research on
Public Speaking & Presentations skills. This
was taken by people from over 15 nationalities.
• Today, I wish to share one insight and based on
one of the questions from the survey and my
suggestions on the same
THANK YOU : I would like to thank Shao Tianruo, who has supported me in the analysis of
some data from this research. I met Shao at the LUISS University(Rome), when I was
invited as a guest for a workshop. Shao is now studying the Utrecht University in Holland.
SURVEY QUESTION -
What specifically
could your parents
have done to play a
more significant role
in developing your
public speaking /
presentation skills ?

3. We would have liked our parents to play a
more significant role
• Over 43% respondents
said that their Parents and
their University could have
played a more significant
role in developing their
Public Speaking Skills.
43%
In this presentation, I focus on
Parents and share 5 things that
parents can do to play a significant
role in supporting their child in
becoming better as a public speaker.

4. What did respondents share ?
“My parents
did not allow me
to speak at the table when
guests were at home”
Female, Polish.
“When I presented as a kid, I
always got the answer
good or not good
and nothing more”
Male, British
“My parents should
have been more
encouraging and
less critical”
Female , Indian

5. What did respondents share ?
My parents could have
encouraged me to read
books and engage in more debates
Male, Turkish
I wish my
parents had
encouraged me
& built up my
confidence;
Shown me by
example
Female, Malaysian
I wish my Parents had shared
with me what I needed to
improve as a public speaker
Male, Portuguese

6. Parent can play a more significant role
When the womb protects, the gardner nourishes, the
recorder listens, the friend plays on, your child
will learn to celebrate on stage.

7. Parent can play a more significant role
like a
Womb
like a
Gardner
like a
Stage
like a
Recorder
like a
Friend

8. like a Womb....
PROTECT them
The world will continue judge and
you can change that by being the
one who shields the child, when
appropriate.

9. Protect them like a Womb
•When you ask them to make a speech or say a poem in front of guests, please check
if the child would really like to do so. Protect them from your own impulsive requests
and desires
•Tell them no matter how others feels, you notice that they are getting better and
better. Protect them from any criticism when they are just beginning to build their own
style.
•e.g. I see that you are able to use new words when you speak, are you learning new
words in school.
•You told me this joke very well . I liked it. Do you like telling stories or maybe you prefer
sharing jokes ?

10. like a Gardner....
ENCOURAGE them
I have yet to see a gardener,
who discourages a plant
because it is not growing fast
enough or not in a particular way

11. Encourage them like a Gardner
•After a speech taken the child in your arms / Hug the child / Say a big Wow / brilliant /
Clap your hands.
•Call others to hear the child speak & tell them you are proud of what they did and what
you liked about what they did. e.g.
•You introduced your subject is a simple way, which means people will understand it easily
•You took time to think, which means you wanted to gather your thoughts and speak what
was most interesting for those who were hearing you.

12. like a Recorder
LISTEN to them
A recorded records everything.
It does not interrupt or judge
while the conversation is going on

13. Listen to them like a Recorder
•Demonstrate to the child that you have listened and share a few things that you
understood. Be prepared to be corrected by the child if it feels you have
misunderstood, what they said
•When they finish speaking– seek their permission –before you ask them a question “Can
I ask you a question now?
•You mentioned that the Fish started speaking to the boy. Which language did the fish use ?
•You find physics is more interesting than languages. Why did you say that ? ... is not the
same as why do you like physics more languages ( try it ? )

14. like a Friend
PLAY with them
When you play a game, the
attention moves away from
performance to fun. Learning
happens best, when it is
associated with pleasure.

15. Play with them like Friend
• Play this game. Make a speech in front of your child on subject of their choice and ask
them to make some suggestions that would help you become better. Make it fun, just
like football ,Pictionary or scrabble that you play with your child.
•Ask the child to make a small speech to you and then ask them what they did well and
what could they get better at ?
•Don't make any suggestions. A direct suggestion is often a direct rejection.
•Every individual has the capacity to identify what they want to improve upon. Some realise
this quickly and for some this takes time. Allow them time to think about it.

16. like a stage
CELEBRATE with them
Sometimes, we all do
better when we know that
we have been invited, &
people want to listen to us
and there is proof that this
time it grand.

17. Celebrate with them like stage
• Ask your child to wear a dress of their choice and record their speech with your smart
phone or a handy cam. Do this when they really wish to do. Till then keep making the
suggestion when , it seems appropriate.
•Use a simple software from the net to make a small film with it and share it with your
child as a surprise. A good performance when packaged well can look even better and
motivate your child to keep repeating the behaviour.
•When you have guests and you want to show them the house, give your child a chance to
do it. You will surprised and how children and so gifted doing ‘show and tell’
•Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings in front of guests, when they
wish to. Don't correct them.

18. Parent can play a more significant role
like a
Womb
like a
Gardner
like a
Stage
like a
Recorder
like a
Friend

19. Don't let this happen to your child
•Most people who grow up to be afraid of public speaking, have gone through some of
these situations
•When they are younger, someone has made fun of them or ridiculed them when
they shared their thoughts or feelings.
•The culture has not allowed them to share what they feel and with time, the never
develop the ability to share what they really want to say
•They try to copy some else style, but deep inside don't feel authentic and honest
and often get rejected by people

20. 5 THINGS
How can Parents play a more
significant role in developing the
public speaking skills of their child