Today was a big day for my 6 year old. It was his first showcase at his new school. He had to stand and do a presentation on Kenyan facts and sing a couple of songs. Following that there was a Taekwondo demonstration. He was amazing. So confident. No fear. He stood tall and recited his lines with a firm voice and a steady gaze. He executed ninja kicks with an unchoreographed extra spin and flourish. I was so proud, public speaking with such confidence at such a young age.

The Fear

And I thought to myself, these children of mine, how different they are to me. How brave, how strong, how sure. From my earliest days I’ve afraid of speaking in front of an audience. I remember being too shy to read my book in front of class. Too scared to act in the school play – they made me the narrator where I could read lines sitting backstage. In adulthood I’ve missed interviews. I’ve turned down jobs. I’ve screwed up presentations. Recently I’ve turned down the opportunity to read a book to my children’s class. All because of my fear of public speaking.

I’ve been pondering the difference between my attitude to public speaking and those of my children. My conclusion is that it is due largely to their educational environment. Their school gives children consistent exposure to public speaking from an early age. Take the last two weeks for example. Rupert has had two separate occasions to stand on stage in from of 100+ people, plus a swimming gala. Performing in front of a large crowd has become second nature to him, just another part of the school day.

Consistency matters

He wasn’t always this confident, in fact for many years he wouldn’t even get on stage. I believe the difference is that in his previous school they were on stage once a year, for the Christmas concert. It was such a big deal ands such an infrequent event that the entire school was struck with stage fright. Setting a precedent for future public performances.

LAMDA

In our school they do an extras class called LAMDA. They can do this class from the age of 4. In LAMDA the children are taught public speaking and presentation skills. They learn poetry and short plays, which they have to do in front of an audience. To pass an exam they must to do an interview where they must talk about themselves for 5 minutes. What wonderful skills to give children so young.

One of the most common phobias

Why are these skills so important? Well for many reasons. Firstly because fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias in the world. Statistics show that 3 out of 4 people have anxiety when asked to speak in public. 7% of Americans have a phobia of public speaking. Alarmingly many of those people state they fear death less than speaking to an audience.

Opportunities for the future

It’s also important because confidence in speaking will help to open to the door to many opportunities throughout life. In the same way that being able to get your point of view across in a clear and coherent manner is a desirable trait. This key skill is consistently sought after as children further their education and progress their careers.

Public vs state

There is an interesting article in the Washington Post, in which it is pointed out that most leaders and politicians are public school educated. The disparity between those that are taught at state school and those at public school is indubitably in part to do with connections and money, but not entirely. In leadership confidence is key, as is the ability to express yourself with ease. Public schools place muh greater importance on public speaking and debate. It is a widely held opinion that teaching public speaking is as important as the teaching of many other curriculum subjects. I’m sure I would have found practice in presentations more a help to my career than the ability to use a Bunsen burner.

Tools for the future

The public speaking jig isn’t about building the statesmen of the future. Public speaking is an inescapable fact of life. Most jobs require speaking to an audience at some point. Most jobs will require you to use persuasive powers and be able to motivate people.

By teaching our children to be confident and to stand up in front of a crowd without fear, we are not only giving them tools for life. We are giving them the chance to live without the fear that so many people nowadays carry with them. The freedom to speak their minds. To freedom to be leaders in whatever path they chose for their lives.

So, as my son saunters into a crowd of people and gives a speech without a second thought, I’m so proud of him and so happy. So proud that his future will be all the brighter for his confidence, charisma and eloquence. So happy that we have found a school that realises the value in teaching our little guys to speak out and be confident.