"Did you know that the world's tallest twin towers is in Kuala Lumpur... where I used to live?"...and ya, mummy, can we add in please how many floors it has and how long they took to build it? ..ok,ok, will google on it tonite... now carry on next point!
I do appreciate though his school stressing the importance of public speaking, it builds personal confidence and puts one in check. It's a program called Biz Kids and they can talk about anything they like and prepare own research & visual aids. Have always been involved in public speaking when I was in school, and there is always this good feeling after a nice presentation that people had looked interested, laughed and nodded their heads when u spoke about something. Am trying to let Jordan learn more about presentation skills & confidence before a crowd. Someday, I would like him to speak before many many people and influence them positively,
Meantime, the makings of a great orator still begins with humble basics: palm cards... and showing off hand-drawn Malaysian map on a manila cardboard, and practice, lots of it.....
So, just some tips to help groom your little one in presentation skills (I don't claim to know it all!):
1. Give them something to do with their hands, they get fidgety just standing still to talk. Visual aids, showing some items, whatever helps them to focus on the thing they are talking about is good.
2. Palm cards in clear, big writing.
3. Don't try to memorise word for word, give them the main points and tell them to speak about those main points, the way they feel comfortable to speak it. If grammar mistakes are too many, then perhaps writing it out initially helps structure their sentences.
4. Be firm, but also help them to learn to laugh at their mistakes. Too much stress doesn't help matters.
5. Do a dry run if possible. Go to the place they are supposed to give their presentation, if possible, so that they are used to the place, and arrangement of tables. Practice holding up visual aids and putting them down.
6. Remember to get rid of any distracting accessories/ bling blings, that nice bracelet, or watch that keeps slipping, pants too tight, hair that needs tying up,, whatever..
7. Tell them they are doing fine and how much the practice has helped them. After all, confidence is key to being a good presenter.
February 19, 2009
PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR 8-YEAR OLDS
"Malaysia is... um... Malaysia has many,,um different races, cultures....
the capital of Malaysia is Malaysia....."
And that, ladies & gentlemen, was my son Jordie trying to rehearse his presentation for class this Friday. Not the first time he's been at it but he needs more confidence & less looking at his palm cards. (I keep calling them flash cards and he says, for the last time mummy, it is NOT flash cards, it is palm cards)..ok,ok...now start right from the beginning again!
"Did you know that the world's tallest twin towers is in Kuala Lumpur... where I used to live?"...and ya, mummy, can we add in please how many floors it has and how long they took to build it? ..ok,ok, will google on it tonite... now carry on next point!
I do appreciate though his school stressing the importance of public speaking, it builds personal confidence and puts one in check. It's a program called Biz Kids and they can talk about anything they like and prepare own research & visual aids. Have always been involved in public speaking when I was in school, and there is always this good feeling after a nice presentation that people had looked interested, laughed and nodded their heads when u spoke about something. Am trying to let Jordan learn more about presentation skills & confidence before a crowd. Someday, I would like him to speak before many many people and influence them positively,
Meantime, the makings of a great orator still begins with humble basics: palm cards... and showing off hand-drawn Malaysian map on a manila cardboard, and practice, lots of it.....
So, just some tips to help groom your little one in presentation skills (I don't claim to know it all!):
1. Give them something to do with their hands, they get fidgety just standing still to talk. Visual aids, showing some items, whatever helps them to focus on the thing they are talking about is good.
2. Palm cards in clear, big writing.
3. Don't try to memorise word for word, give them the main points and tell them to speak about those main points, the way they feel comfortable to speak it. If grammar mistakes are too many, then perhaps writing it out initially helps structure their sentences.
4. Be firm, but also help them to learn to laugh at their mistakes. Too much stress doesn't help matters.
5. Do a dry run if possible. Go to the place they are supposed to give their presentation, if possible, so that they are used to the place, and arrangement of tables. Practice holding up visual aids and putting them down.
6. Remember to get rid of any distracting accessories/ bling blings, that nice bracelet, or watch that keeps slipping, pants too tight, hair that needs tying up,, whatever..
7. Tell them they are doing fine and how much the practice has helped them. After all, confidence is key to being a good presenter.
"Did you know that the world's tallest twin towers is in Kuala Lumpur... where I used to live?"...and ya, mummy, can we add in please how many floors it has and how long they took to build it? ..ok,ok, will google on it tonite... now carry on next point!
I do appreciate though his school stressing the importance of public speaking, it builds personal confidence and puts one in check. It's a program called Biz Kids and they can talk about anything they like and prepare own research & visual aids. Have always been involved in public speaking when I was in school, and there is always this good feeling after a nice presentation that people had looked interested, laughed and nodded their heads when u spoke about something. Am trying to let Jordan learn more about presentation skills & confidence before a crowd. Someday, I would like him to speak before many many people and influence them positively,
Meantime, the makings of a great orator still begins with humble basics: palm cards... and showing off hand-drawn Malaysian map on a manila cardboard, and practice, lots of it.....
So, just some tips to help groom your little one in presentation skills (I don't claim to know it all!):
1. Give them something to do with their hands, they get fidgety just standing still to talk. Visual aids, showing some items, whatever helps them to focus on the thing they are talking about is good.
2. Palm cards in clear, big writing.
3. Don't try to memorise word for word, give them the main points and tell them to speak about those main points, the way they feel comfortable to speak it. If grammar mistakes are too many, then perhaps writing it out initially helps structure their sentences.
4. Be firm, but also help them to learn to laugh at their mistakes. Too much stress doesn't help matters.
5. Do a dry run if possible. Go to the place they are supposed to give their presentation, if possible, so that they are used to the place, and arrangement of tables. Practice holding up visual aids and putting them down.
6. Remember to get rid of any distracting accessories/ bling blings, that nice bracelet, or watch that keeps slipping, pants too tight, hair that needs tying up,, whatever..
7. Tell them they are doing fine and how much the practice has helped them. After all, confidence is key to being a good presenter.
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3 comments:
Hi, who holds the palm cards - you or jordie?
hehe...same thing but called differently - hand phone, mobile phone, cell phone. why not palm phone?
WOW! This is interesting...
I believe Jordie can be a great spokesman one day!
wish we got some training when young. It's a great classroom exposure he gets.
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