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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

130 Awesome Speech Topics for Kids

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Kids always do best when they are interested in what they are asked to talk about. But every child has different interests, and therein lies the challenge – selecting awesome speech topics that kids will want to talk about.

A few points you want to consider:

If the topic is too “adult,” they may be too young to cope with what they find.
If the topic is too simplistic, their growing sense of awareness may be stunted.

Keep in mind the goal of the speech – do you want to educate, to entertain, to express ideas, or something else?
Consider topic that suits child’s character: someone who has an extensive imagination won’t like the same topics as someone who is more factual and practical.

Here is a broad range of speech topics for kids you can choose from.

Family and friends, miscellaneous, more miscellaneous….

Why I love my mom and dad
Funny things my parents say
Let me tell you about my imaginary friend
Things that really happen at grandma’s house when mom and dad aren’t there
Secrets my mom does all day when I’m not around
What my brother/sister thinks of me
What my dad does in the bathroom for all that time
If I had a choice between getting money or spending time with my family, I would choose…
What did I do for my mom last mother’s day
Let me tell you about my family
My family’s traditions
Original projects to surprise my parents on Mother’s Day (in the Spring) and Father’s Day (often marked in June).
Where we went on vacation/holiday with my family
What is my favorite song
My favorite band or singer, and one of his or her greatest hits I would like to play with some clarification.
The best fairy tale, or a variation child speech topic can be a cartoon character.
My favorite season of the year is…
My favourite time of day or week.
The funniest April Fool’s Day joke.
5 of my favorite words
Top favorite Christmas song of all times
3 favorite things to buy at the market
If I went to my favorite restaurant I would order…
Mom and my favorite place to visit is..
My favorite thing about summer
What my favorite pizza toppings are
My favorite New Year’s tradition
Favorite sundae toppings
The most delicious meal I’ve ever had
If I built the ultimate sandwich, it would have…
The worst vegetable on the planet
How many things can you make with a potato
Describe the flavors of Thanksgiving foods
One thing I know how to cook is…
The contents of your lunch box.
Different ways to eat an apple
Why I don’t care about the “Five second rule”
I don’t like to eat … Fill in something you dislike
A day in the life as a fly
What my dog is thinking
What would it be like if dinosaurs roamed the Earth?
My dream mythical creature for a pet would be…
If I could talk to animals…
What do cows think about
How do animals talk to each other
How to care for your pets, the right way
What rights should animals have?
What different wild animals have I seen
How penguins live on Antarctica and only there and not on the North Pole (besides the zoo of course)
A day at the wildlife sea aquarium, with dolphins, sharks, whales and seals.
How kangaroos care for their children.
What birds visit your backyard at home
How do rainbows work
What planet would I visit if I had my own rocket ship
Why the sky is blue
How are stars made
Where do clouds come from?
Where babies come from
What outer space is like
Why do the leaves on trees change color in the fall
How water is so important
What makes the Sun so bright
How do boats float
Why do we have dreams when we sleep
Why are eyes different colors
What makes the world go ’round
How do planes fly
The stars, black holes, galaxies and the interstellar medium in our cosmos
Biggest birthday wish
Best indoor winter activities
Coolest superhero power
If I was the President of the U.S….
My dream vacation
If I were a character in a book, I would be…
Why I’m on Santa’s nice/naughty list
The inside scoop on __________
If I could change one thing about the world, it would be…
How I really feel about seeing the doctor
The best part about holidays
If I had three wishes, they would be…
If I were famous, it would be for my…
My secret life as a spy
My best invention
Fun games to play on long car rides
Silly songs I know
In my dream house, there would be…
The best part about being sick
Why the tooth fairy must be real
What my name means
Disney World: the first person I’d want to see is…
If I was the author of a book, I’d write about…
The charity I’m going to donate to when I’m older is…
What happiness means to me
The best thing about me is…
If I could be a character in any video game, it would be…
How I care for the environment every day
Why are farmers important
What I want to be for Halloween next year
What I want to be when I grow up
Why best friends are so special
If I was a princess or prince, I would …
My toys, dolls or mini racing cars collection.
My trip to Disney World or other resort.
How I decorate my room at home.
My biggest adventure.
Good kid games online.
Nice birthday presents you like to get.
What you could do without television or video.
Foreign hollidays we do not celebrate.
Things – food or scary situations – that make you sick.
What is more important: Doing what’s right or being popular
The best memory I can remember
Who I was named after
What it would be like to meet an alien
My greatest fear
The happiest day of my life
Something I have done that I am proud of
What adult in my life do I look up to the most
How to plan a surprise party
A day at the beach
The coolest toy I have
What I know about (insert sport)
Vampires or werewolves?
Steps to drawing a flower
If I re-wrote the story, “The Little Mermaid” or “Bambi” it would go like this…
How to make a snowman
The strangest place I’ve ever been
Are table manners really important
Tell a myth or legend about your future self
The coolest art/craft I’ve ever made
If I were in charge, the rules I would make would be…

If you are selecting a topic together, sit down with your child and read through this list together and make your own list of which topics stood out to your child . Suggest alternatives or adaptations to some topics. The goal is to get their juices flowing. You want this to be a choice that they are comfortable with.

Help them decide by reminding them who their audience will be and what the occasion is . This will help determine what is appropriate and what the audience will want to hear. Your child probably wouldn’t want to talk about Barbie at a formal function or to an audience of mostly boys.

All that’s left to do is prepare and practice, because we all know – practice makes perfect!

Can We Write Your Speech?

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205 Controversial Topics for your Essay, Speech, or Debate

206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]

25 thoughts on “130 Awesome Speech Topics for Kids”

Sure! It’s about I only want a ribbon about u are afraid Togo on stage and don’t want to go to the next level except a good grade.

A day in a life of me as an old person

im so bad at writing speechs

You should keep some simple and affective topics on which children can speak on. But still good.

this really helped me I am trying to look for a speech and this helped me ALOT!!!!thanks and had lots of good ideas

it’s very good for a child under like 8 but i am 9 and i use it and when our teacher said were have a speech contest i flip out! but i found this web site and it helped me a lot. In fact, i won the speech contest!

Ok you guys are good in all but I feel like I don’t know if kids are going to want to listen to these baby ideas and where baby’s come from and I am in grade six and I don’t think people really want to listen but you guys ar good for like grade threes or something like that because I don’t think people over the grade of four are going to want to listen to this

OK you guys r good but i need more ideas all of are cool but i need to win a speech contest

I love the ideas kind of random but still funny and interesting

please help me to write speech

ya i’m in a speech contest too and thx you have helped me lot’s 🙂

I couldn’t think of anything so I simply did: why I can’t think of a speech topic!

I LOVE your topic Me it inspires me and I think I am going to write about that for my speech contest entry.

i LOVVVE the ideas im going to come first in my speech comments

i wish you would give more responsible topics because i don’t want to write a speech on the steps to write a flower i would want to amaze the judges with a out of this world speech not a stupid one i am in sixth grade and i am about to do a huge essay contest and i want to write something jaw dropping

thank you!!! this is very helpful to us it give us more confidence and knowledge

I need a topic that I can talk about for 20 MINUTES!!!. These topics seem too trivial for an impromptu speech for 20 minutes, but good topics for shorter speeches!

love your ideas so good you really have a brillant brain sir

Thank u a lot

No this is not the topics i am looking for….. I’m looking for persuasive speeches could u please add topics for that

Winning Isn’t Everything

Well, it’s pretty good for school, but I need topics like “Benefits of ___” or “What we should do about pollution”, etc. I’m doing this for a Public Speaking class and we have to do speeches sort of like a ‘TED talk’

I want a speech on the Democratic for my school

I’m kinda annoyed they don’t take you to a site that helps you write it like I need this thing next Monday!

I love those crazy and cute topics….once I read them they grab my heart at once and now my mummy is saying me to make ur speech on this and that blaa … blaaa…. but I can’t leave those cute science topics….thank you so much for whoever have those kind of sweet topics

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17 Ted Talks for Kids to Inspire Little Minds to Do Big Things

A few years ago, I watched Brene Brown’s TED Talk on Vulnerability . Her story, her research, her authenticity, and yes, her vulnerability resonated with me deeply. One of the concepts that stood out the most was that in order to live wholeheartedly, we must feel the full range of emotions. The positive: joy, gratitude, happiness. And the not so positive: grief, fear, shame, sadness, disappointment.

This talk moved me, changed me and challenged me to think differently. And that is what TED talks have the power to do. They can make the hairs on the back of our neck stand up, bring us to tears, and most importantly, motivate, inspire and challenge our thinking.

Which is why I’m so excited to share these TED Talks for kids. I’ve always had a passion for working with children; I have three daughters of my own, co-lead two local Girl Scout Troops, spent time in my career working in education and am a member of the Galileo community advisory board (an innovation camp for kids).

I’m involved in all of these because I feel deeply how important it is to help our kids build their confidence, self-esteem, innovation and creativity. I want every kid to realize they are awesome just as they are. That they have the ability to make anything happen if they dream big and work hard. Imagine what that would do for our youth.

If you Google or scour lists of top TED talks, you tend to get similar ones popping up. That’s because they’re awesome. But they’re not all appropriate for kids.

How I shortlisted these TED Talks

I’ve done the hard work for you. Along with my family, kids, their friends and a few others, we vetted over 100 TED Talks and picked out the 17 that I believe send powerful and inspiring messages our kids desperately need.

So, whether your kid is 6 or 16, I hope you find something that inspires, moves, motivates and challenges them.

They’re short enough for young brains to stay engaged. While there is an 18 minute “rule” for TED talks, many of the most popular talks are 20+ minutes. Recently, as I toured middle schools for my daughters, one of the principals shared that a kid’s attention span is the kids age minus one. So, if you have an 11 year old, then 10 minutes is his/her attention span. You can’t expect him/her to listen to 18 minutes and stay focused the whole time. All of the talks highlighted below are under 15 minutes. Some are as short as three.
They all include life lessons I believe are important for today’s youth. For me, this meant searching for talks that would build confidence and self-esteem; help kids be true to themselves. Understand what makes a happy and successful life. How to dream big. To communicate, interact and treat others. Above all, these talks will help kids see that they are awesome and that anything is possible when they dream big and work hard.
They’re kid-friendly. You might think this is obvious, but I found many speakers share political views, curse, or share content or concepts that that could be scary or confusing for young minds. If you ask those around me, I’m probably a little overcautious about what I expose my kids too. I’m ok with that. They have plenty of time to see the darker side of the world as they age. I would be comfortable with my seven-year-old watching all of these.
They’re interesting. Kids need to be engaged, interested and motivated to even sit through a video. While this isn’t always easy to do, I’ve tried to find videos with likeable speakers, compelling topics and inspiring stories. And don’t worry, they’re not just for kids – these are awesome talks for adults as well.

Top 17 Ted Talks for kids

1. a life lesson from a volunteer firefighter (4:01).

I started with this one because all of my kids absolutely loved it. It’s an easy entry point for kids – short and sweet with a powerful message. (And what kid doesn’t like a firefighter?!)

Volunteer Firefighter and Activist Mark Bezos shares his story about how small things can make a big difference.

My 11-year-old’s key takeway? “It shows we don’t have to do something big to make a difference”.

Here’s a key piece of his message:

“In both my vocation at Robin Hood and my avocation as a volunteer firefighter, I am witness to acts of generosity and kindness on a monumental scale, but I’m also witness to acts of grace and courage on an individual basis. And you know what I’ve learned? They all matter.”

2. What Adults Can Learn From Kids (8:06)

One of my 11-year-olds was riveted by this one. In fact, at one point, I tried to increase the volume on the iPad while she kept pushing me out of the way so she didn’t miss anything.

Twelve-year-old Adora Svitak is incredible. This talk is inspiring not only because of what she says, but because of how incredible and confident this young girl is as she presents.

Here are some of my favorite excerpts from her talk:

“Kids don’t think about limitations…they just think about good ideas.” “Learning between grown-ups and kids should be reciprocal.” “When expectations are low, trust me, we (kids) will sink to them.”

3. Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection (8:50)

Recommended by several people when I was asking around, I found myself choking up in the first two minutes as Reshma shares her personal story about bravery in the face of failure.

“This is not a story about failure or resilience…it’s about bravery.”

She talks about our “bravery deficit”.

“When we teach girls to be brave, and we have a supportive network cheering them on, they will build incredible things.”

She shares one of my favorite philosophies: Progress, not perfection.

This is a great one for those who need a little more confidence to raise their hand, try out for that team, or face an upcoming challenge.

4. 10 Ways To Have a Better Conversation (11:30)

This is one of my all-time favorites. I’m becoming increasingly concerned about our kids’ ability to have a face-to-face conversation. Just look around at a restaurant and see how many kids have their faces in phones. One recent survey of managers said 46% of recent grads need to hone their communication skills.

As someone who spent many years earning a living helping people communicate better, I think this is necessary for every kid. It’s a lost art. A skill that is becoming extinct with the world of technology.

Radio Host Celeste Headlee provides great tips for how to have a better conversation, and, more importantly, how to listen.

At one point, she shares this thought written in the Atlantic by a high school teacher named Paul Barnewell.

“I came to realize that conversational competence might be the single most overlooked skill we fail to teach. Kids spend hours each day engaging with ideas and each other through screens, but rarely do they have an opportunity to hone their interpersonal communications skills. It might sound like a funny question, but we have to ask ourselves: Is there any 21st Century skill more important than being able to sustain coherent, confident conversation?”

My older daughters both really enjoyed this talk. They learned “how important it is to listen and to think about other people, not just yourself”.

My favorite line of all time: “There’s no reason to show you’re paying attention, if in fact, you are actually paying attention.”

This is a great one to share with your teenagers – even if you need to text them the link?

5. A Promising Test for Pancreatic Cancer… From A Teenager (10:46)

I just love this one. Jack shares his story, how as a teenager he searched for and found a promising cure for pancreatic cancer. Motivated by the death of a close family friend, Jack shows some of my favorite attributes: thinking, process, initiative, perseverance, determination, courage…and humor. He’s a fantastic speaker and will keep your kids interested and engaged.

One of my favorite quotes:

“You don’t have to be a professor with multiple degrees to have your ideas valued…Just imagine what you could do.”

“He did that all by himself?” One of my daughters asked at the end. Yep, he did. And you can, too.

6. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (6:09)

With three kids, I’m always driving a car full of kids somewhere. As I was researching for this article, during each of my rides, I took the opportunity to ask whoever was in the car about their recommendations. This talk was recommended by a 16-year-old high school student. (Thank you, Bella!) I had seen it before and was so glad she liked it as much as I did.

Angela Lee Duckworth left her consulting career and became a 7th grade math teacher in the New York public school system. She was fascinated by what helped students succeed. This talk is the story of what she found.

Here’s a quick preview:

“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint. “

Need another reason to share this with your kid? Angela highlights that kids with grit are more likely to graduate…and be successful in their chosen careers.

We all know how important grit and perseverance are; let’s help our children see that.

7. Dare To Dream Big (8:49)

With just over 22,000 views, this video hasn’t hit “mainstream” TED world yet, but Isabella Rose Taylor, a freshman in college and a working fashion designer, tells a fantastic story.

“Today I want to talk to you about dreams and stories.”

She shares one of my favorite stories about the 4-minute mile and how belief is such an important part of success.

“They didn’t all the sudden get faster or stronger, they just believed it was possible.”

The rest of her talk is filled with lessons on dreaming big, believing in yourself, courage, authenticity, and the importance of relationships.

“We should aim as high as possible and dream big.”

Yes. We. Should.

8. Yup, I built a nuclear fusion reactor (3:26)

Even the title shows the confidence that 17-year-old Nuclear Physicist Taylor Wilson has. As he says…and proves,

“Kids can really change the world.”

I love his passion and confidence. He started out with a dream and ended up meeting the President.

9. Underwater Astonishments (5:18)

While this may not have any explicit life lessons, it’s incredibly interesting and fun to watch with kids. Approved by my 7-year-old, who said, “It was very interesting and I liked the pictures. I didn’t know an octopus could do that.”

The underlying lesson? For me, it shows how everything is incredible. When we look for beauty and awe, we will find it.

I also think it’s fascinating as Geologist David Gallow shares:

“And in a place where we thought no life at all, we find more life…there’s still 97 percent, and either that 97 percent is empty or just full of surprises.”

This teaches kids that there is so much in life and in their world to discover.

10. What Makes A Good Life? Lessons From the Longest Study on Happiness (12:40)

I’d say this talk is better for older kids. Robert Waldinger shares what makes a good life, from the longest study in history on happiness.

If your kids are having a hard time getting into it, head to 5:51 for the highlights:

“So what have we learned? What are the lessons that come from the tens of thousands of pages of information that we’ve generated on these lives? Well, the lessons aren’t about wealth or fame or working harder and harder. The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”

I love the focus on the importance of relationships and friendships.

11. The Happy Secret To Better Work (12:14)

Positive Psychologist Shawn Achor is funny, fast and witty. He begins his talk with an incredibly funny story about his sister and him when they were little.

He shares that:

“90 percent of your long-term happiness is predicted not by the external world, but by the way your brain processes the world. And if we change it, if we change our formula for happiness and success, we can change the way that we can then affect reality.”

If you want to get to the essence, head to 9:09 for his suggestions.

This is another one that’s probably best for older kids and teenagers.

12. Weird, or Just Different? (2:35)

The shortest talk on this list, Derek Sivers talks about the power of perspective. It teaches kids that we all have a different lens through which we see the world and we need to be aware of our assumptions and bias.

One of Derek’s thoughts:

There’s a saying that whatever true thing you can say about India, the opposite is also true. So, let’s never forget…that whatever brilliant ideas you have or hear, that the opposite may also be true.

My daughter’s thoughts: “ It shows we can both be right .” YES.

13. Living Beyond Limits (9:44)

When I said earlier that I would let my 7-year-old watch all of these talks, this might be my one exception. Amy Purdy’s message is incredible but with an illness and near-death experience, it could be scary for little ones.

When she was just 19, Amy got bacterial meningitis and after a long fight for her life, she survived, but lost both legs below the knee. Now, a pro-snowboarder, she shows how “It’s believing in those dreams and facing our fears head-on that allows us to live our lives beyond our limits.”

Her message:

“If your life was a book, and you were the author, how would you want your story to go?”

As my daughter and her friend watched this video, they loved Amy, were completely engaged by her story and got this lesson – “Don’t give up on our dreams just because something bad happens.”

14. 8 Secrets of Success (3:26)

In this short video, Analyst Richard St. John condenses a decade of research on success into three minutes. It’s a two-hour presentation he gives to high school students on what’s needed to be successful. Quick. Fast. Interesting with lots of great life lessons including serving, persisting, hard work and passion.

15. Nature. Beauty. Gratitude. (9:47)

The title says it all.

Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg’s beautiful cinematic time lapse imagery is paired with words of perspective from a little girl and an elderly man about what makes life so beautiful.

It may feel slow for some kids, but contains a compelling and valuable message.

I loved when the little girl shared her perspective about why we should be exploring nature and not watching TV and when the elderly gentlemen shared these thoughts:

“You think this is just another day in your life? It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you today. It’s given to you. It’s a gift. It’s the only gift that you have right now, and the only appropriate response is gratefulness.”

Kids might also find it interesting why we say OMG. I did.

16. Why Some Of Us Don’t Have One True Calling (12:26)

This is a great talk, especially for high school students who are trying to figure out what to do with their life! In my coaching practice, this question still evokes a sense of stress, whether someone is going into high school, graduating from college, or in a mid-life career change.

Emilie’s powerful message:

If you have multiple dreams, goals and interests, “There’s nothing wrong with you. What you are, is a multipotentialite. Someone with many interests and creative pursuits.”

The statistics back up this concept. Studies have shown that only 27 percent of college grads have a job related to their major; the average person changes jobs 10-15 times during his or her career; and people change careers anywhere from 3-7 times over the course of their lifetime.

Emilie then goes on to share the skills and benefits of being a multipotentialite, complete with examples of successful individuals who have created a life that works for them.

My absolute favorite message from this talk is one that I’m deeply aligned with in my coaching practice:

“We should all be designing lives and careers that are aligned with how we’re wired… Embracing our inner wiring leads to a happier, more authentic life.”

17. How I Harnessed the Wind (5:52)

Incredible and inspiring. At the age of 14, William Kamkwamba, with very little education or resources, motivated by poverty and famine, created a windmill to power his family’s home. As he looked at his life, he felt that what he was living was a fate he couldn’t accept. So rather than live the life he was “destined” to live, he decided to change it.

Not only is this story about courage, drive and innovation, it will also help kids gain perspective about what others in the world are facing on a daily basis.

He closes with these words of wisdom:

“I would like to say something to all the people out there like me, to the Africans, and the poor who are struggling with your dreams. God bless. Maybe one day you will watch this on the Internet. I say to you, trust yourself and believe. Whatever happens, don’t give up.”

BONUS: I Think We All Need a Pep Talk (3:28)

Ok, so it’s not officially a TED Talk, but it was on their site [1] and I just had to include it! Many of you have probably seen this Soul Pancake video before. I don’t need to say much. Just watch it.

Here are three of my favorite lines from 9-year old “Kid President”:

“We’re all on the same team.” “We were made to be awesome.” “Give the world a reason to dance, so get to it.”

Now What? Watch these with your kids!

Now that you’ve read through these options, it’s time to pick a few and watch them with your kid(s). I recommend you choose three that are relevant to your family, a situation your kid is in, a life lesson you feel is important for them to learn, or something that you’re just excited to share.

That’s the easy part. Now you have to get them to watch it!

Here are a few recommendations for sharing these with your kids:

1. Share your thoughts and a few W’s

Who is this talk about, why you think it’s important for them to watch and what you think they’ll find interesting. Get them hooked before they watch it. Giving them high-level context will not only get them interested, but get their minds primed for learning.

2. After you watch the video, have a discussion.

Not sure what to ask? Here are some ideas:

What did you think of the video?
What did you enjoy?
What do you think motivated this speaker to speak on this topic?
What did you learn?
What do you think you’ll do differently as a result of watching this?

3. Ask them to stick with it and be patient.

When I started testing these with my daughters, I could see in the first minute they were wondering if they really wanted to do this. I asked them to be patient, keep an open mind and stick with it. Once they got through the initial, “Ugh, Mom!”…. they enjoyed watching.

Lucky for you, the ones they couldn’t get through didn’t make this cut! Watch one (maybe two) at time. Stick with the age minus one rule.

I loved researching these talks, watching them with my kids and their friends, and hearing their thoughts and reactions. I hope they provide a great discussion for you and your family, some inspiration for your kids and something that moves, motivates and challenges you both.

I’d love to hear which of these resonated with you and your kids – and if you have other favorite TED talks you think would be great for kids, please let me know!

Featured photo credit: Pexels via pexels.com

[1]

TED TALK:

How to Use a Planner Effectively

How to Be a Better Planner: Avoid the Planning Fallacy

5 Best Apps to Help You Delegate Tasks Easily

Delegating Leadership Style: What Is It & When To Use It?

The Fear of Delegating Work To Others

Why Is Delegation Important in Leadership?

7 Best Tools for Prioritizing Work

How to Deal with Competing Priorities Effectively

What Is the RICE Prioritization Model And How Does It Work?

4 Exercises to Improve Your Focus

What Is Chronic Procrastination and How To Deal with It

How to Snap Out of Procrastination With ADHD

Are Depression And Procrastination Connected?

Procrastination And Laziness: Their Differences & Connections

Bedtime Procrastination: Why You Do It And How To Break It

15 Books on Procrastination To Help You Start Taking Action

Productive Procrastination: Is It Good or Bad?

how does procrastination affect productivity

The Impact of Procrastination on Productivity

How to Cope With Anxiety-Induced Procrastination

How to Break the Perfectionism-Procrastination Loop

15 Work-Life Balance Books to Help You Take Control of Life

Work Life Balance for Women: What It Means & How to Find It

6 Essential Mindsets For Continuous Career Growth

How to Discover Your Next Career Move Amid the Great Resignation

The Key to Creating a Vibrant (And Magical Life) by Lee Cockerell

9 Tips on How To Disconnect From Work And Stay Present

Work-Life Integration vs Work-Life Balance: Is One Better Than the Other?

How To Practice Self-Advocacy in the Workplace (Go-to Guide)

How to Boost Your Focus And Attention Span

What Are Distractions in a Nutshell?

What Is Procrastination And How To End It

Prioritization — Using Your Time & Energy Effectively

Delegation — Leveraging Your Time & Resources

Your Guide to Effective Planning & Scheduling

The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Goals

How to Find Lasting Motivation

Complete Guide to Getting Back Your Energy

How to Have a Good Life Balance

Explore the time flow system.

About the Time Flow System

Key Philosophy I: Fluid Progress, Like Water

Key Philosophy II: Pragmatic Priorities

Key Philosophy III: Sustainable Momentum

Key Philosophy IV: Three Goal Focus

How the Time Flow System Works

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Public Speaking for Kids: 30 Topic Ideas for 30 Days

Samidha raj.

Writer , Jersey City , New Jersey

A great public speaker, whether a young child or a seasoned professional, is someone who reflects charisma and confidence to captivate their audience. It’s okay to feel nervous or to have fear of public speaking. Great public speakers often get nervous, but this nervous energy keeps their adrenaline flowing.

However, what is not okay is sounding and looking nervous when speaking in public. This makes the audience feel disconnected from the speaker. Public speaking training for kids seems like a daunting task, but it’s really a matter of practice.

Help your children to project magnetism and self-assuredness when they speak with these 30 inspiring speech topics for 30 days. Your kids can practice public speaking by taking one topic every day for the next 30 days. This will help them fire their imaginations to be confident public speakers. Here are some topic ideas for public speaking for children, but feel free to invent your own! Choose a topic today!

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Public Speaking for Kids: Ideas for Topics

Here are the 30 topic ideas for 30 days of the month:

The best part about living on Earth
Let me tell you about my imaginary friend
If you were to write a book for your kids your age to read, what it would be about?
My favorite cartoon character
My favorite time of the day or week
The most delicious meal I’ve ever had
If I could talk to animals
If I could change one thing about the world, it would be
My favorite game
If I had a million dollars, what would I do?
My dream job
The funniest movie I have ever seen
My typical day at school
What sports do you like? Why?
Interesting things you see in the sky
The best day of my life
My best friend
A much-needed invention
What planet would you visit and why?
If you could have one superpower, what it would be?
What’s your favorite outdoor activity?
Tell us why too much TV is bad for your health
If you could make one toy, what would it be?
What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
If you were the President for the day, what would you do?
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?
What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
What is your least favorite food?
What’s the first thing you think of when you wake up?
What is your favorite kind of music, and why?

Speaking on the above topic ideas will instill the power of confidence in your kids. When your child is charged with a healthy dose of self-assurance, nothing can get in the way of their success. So, take this 30-day, 30-topic challenge and boost your child’s confidence in becoming a great public speaker. You will see a decided improvement in your child’s eye contact, body language, and presentation skills.

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School Leaders

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45 TED Talks That Will Intrigue, Encourage, and Inspire Your Students

Amazing speakers on fascinating topics.

By now, you probably know about TED , a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing important ideas through brief, impactful talks. TED Talks can be an amazing classroom resource that sparks meaningful conversations. (Their TED-Ed videos are especially valuable, since they include complete lesson plans for teachers.) We’ve rounded up some of our favorite TED Talks students will really enjoy. You’ll find options here for every age and interest.

STEM TED Talks for Students

History and culture ted talks for students, inspirational ted talks for students.

These videos include Ted Talks students can learn from, in ways that will truly engage them. See hands-on science in action, and explore topics in a way kids can easily understand.

Emma Bryce: What really happens to the plastic you throw away? (3:53)

Screen shot from TED Talk video showing trash gyres in the world's oceans

Plastic bottles are everywhere these days. In this video, you’ll follow the life cycles of three different bottles. Each journey teaches us something about how plastics affect the environment.

Angela Koine Flynn: The science of skin color (4:39)

Why do some people tan (or burn) so fast while others can sit in the sun for hours? How did our skin develop so many different hues to begin with? Find out, then follow up with The Beauty of Human Skin in Every Color !

Anita Collins: How playing an instrument benefits your brain (4:30)

When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout.

Myriam Sidibe: The simple power of hand-washing (11:32)

This talk begins with some sobering statistics: 6.6 million children worldwide don’t make it to their fifth birthday. But Myriam Sidibe reveals the simplest of solutions that may reverse the trends—a bar of soap.

Beau Lotto and Amy O’Toole: Science is for everyone, kids included (15:10)

Neuroscientist Beau Lotto shares the parallels between science and play with the help of 25 elementary-age children.

Eva-Maria Geigl: The history of the world according to cats (4:21)

Still shot from a TED Talk about the history of cats

Long ago, wild cats were fierce hunters. Over the centuries, they’ve become the house pets we now know and love. Learn how our furry friends came to be in this fun video.

Kelli Sandman-Hurley: What is dyslexia? (4:20)

There’s probably at least one student in your classroom with dyslexia. Learn how it affects learning and why we should celebrate neurodiversity.

Arthur Benjamin: Mathemagic (15:02)

Art Benjamin combines his two loves, math and magic! Watch him perform three-digit multiplication in his head faster than his helpers using a calculator.

AnnMarie Thomas: Hands-on science with squishy circuits (3:52)

Kids will love learning how to create circuits using two different kinds of homemade play dough. Don’t be surprised when they want to try it for themselves.

Jack Andraka: A promising test for pancreatic cancer … from a teenager (10:36)

Jack developed an inexpensive, effective, and non-invasive test for pancreatic cancer. Oh, and he did it all before his 16th birthday!

Claire Simeone: The lovable (and lethal) sea lion (4:37)

Still shot from a TED-Ed talk about sea lions

Go for a swim with one of the ocean’s coolest creatures, the sea lion. They can hunt for up to 30 hours at a time and reach speeds of 18 mph. Amazing!

Thomas Suarez: 12-year-old app developer (4:24)

“Where do you go to find out how to make an app?” Thomas was 12 when he asked this question. He taught himself to build apps and wants to inspire other kids to do the same.

Daphne Bavelier: Your brain on video games (17:45)

Kids are often told video games are “bad” for them. Brain scientist Daphne Bavelier challenges that notion. She believes that playing video games in “reasonable doses” can actually have lots of positive effects on our brain. Bavelier shares how she and other scientists are using their research to help others.

William Kamkwamba: How I built a windmill (3:59)

At age 14, a Malawian boy named William Kamkwamba sought a way to help his village combat famine. Ultimately, he built a wind turbine entirely out of spare parts and scrapyard materials. Next, learn how it changed his life in How I Harnessed the Wind .

Terry Moore: How to tie your shoes (2:43)

Terry Moore believes that most of us are tying our shoes incorrectly. Surprisingly enough, he’s probably right. In this informative TED Talk, Moore demonstrates how to tie a stronger knot that won’t let us down. As Moore notes, sometimes small advantages can yield big results.

Joe Smith: How to use a paper towel (4:15)

Still shot from a TED talk about paper towels

Joe Smith is on a mission to save paper by teaching us the correct way to use a paper towel. Spoiler alert: We’re doing it wrong and creating a lot of waste in the process.

John Green: The nerd’s guide to learning everything online (18:01)

John Green talks about the importance of the internet and why it makes learning more awesome. He demonstrates how platforms like YouTube can help build engaging communities of learning and discovery.

Explore topics from history and the arts and make connections with people around the world.

Soraya Field Fiorio: Who was the world’s first author? (4:55)

Still shot from animated video about Sappho

Would you have guessed that the world’s first known author was a woman? Find out about her life and writings, dating back 4,300 years.

Iseult Gillespie: How to see more and care less: The art of Georgia O’Keeffe (5:00)

Artist Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by the shapes and rhythms of nature. Her unique way of looking at the world gave rise to American Modernism.

Brian A. Pavlac: Ugly History: Witch Hunts (5:25)

For much of human history, people believed witches were real—and evil. They hunted the suspected witches, put them on “trial,” and tortured them, often to death. Take a closer look at this difficult chapter of our past and how it came to be.

Diane J. Rayor: Ancient Greece’s greatest popstar (5:25)

Kids who love Beyoncé or Adele will love learning about Sappho, one of ancient Greece’s most famous poets. She coined the word “bittersweet” to describe the ups and downs of romance. Her writings made her a superstar of her day!

Kayla Wolf: Why every world map is wrong (4:57)

It’s simply impossible to make a map of the spherical world that’s accurate. So why do we keep using them? And how can we change them to shift our point of view? Find out in this intriguing video.

Ann-Helén Bay: Why is it so hard to escape poverty? (4:45)

Still shot from a TED-Ed video about poverty

Many people believe that if you work hard enough, you’ll automatically succeed. But poverty is a trap that frequently pulls people back down, no matter how hard they try. Why should that be, and how can we overcome it?

Danielle Feinberg: The magic ingredient that brings Pixar movies to life (11:55)

Go behind the scenes with Danielle Feinberg, Pixar’s director of photography. See what happens when science and art collide to create Pixar’s incredible three-dimensional worlds.

Kevin Allocca: Why videos go viral (7:04)

Only a tiny percentage of online videos go viral. But when they do, they become part of a cultural phenomenon that fascinates and mystifies us. Kevin Allocca shares the secret ingredients that contribute to a video’s viral success.

Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English (4:16)

In this powerful spoken-word performance, Lyiscott challenges the standard notion of what it means to be “articulate” in today’s society. She shares her experience navigating three distinct English dialects at home, at school, and with friends.

Doug Levinson: What gives a dollar bill its value? (3:26)

Ever wonder how inflation works or what determines the value of a buck? Join the workers of the Federal Reserve and learn how it all works.

The LXD: In the Internet age, dance evolves (17:13)

Still shot from a video featuring LXD dancers

The LXD (Legion of Extraordinary Dancers) believes that dance can have a transformative effect on the world. Their stunning street dance performance makes for a TED Talk video students will want to watch again and again. Fans of Glee and So You Think You Can Dance may see some familiar faces.

Mac Barnett: Why a good book is a secret door (16:51)

Everyone needs a little whimsy in their lives. Children’s writer Mac Barnett shares the power of imagination in this playful talk. He introduces us to Nico, an imaginative child who brings Barnett’s message to life.

Tavi Gevinson: A teen just trying to figure it out (7:14)

Tavi Gevinson noticed that women, particularly young girls, were often misrepresented in popular media. In response, she created a web magazine where teenagers can share stories, ask questions, and “figure it out” together.

Encourage kids to ask more questions and seek out the best the world has to offer with these TED Talks.

Matthew Winkler: What makes a hero? (4:30)

What trials unite Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and more of literature’s most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes?

Manoush Zomorodi: How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas (16:04)

Believe it or not, boredom can actually result in your most creative accomplishments. Zomorodi explains that when your body is on autopilot, your brain gets busy!

Clint Smith: The danger of silence (4:09)

“Read critically. Write consciously. Speak clearly. Tell your truth.” Teacher Clint Smith explains the relationship between silence and discrimination.

Derek Sivers: How to start a movement (2:53)

How do movements gain traction? According to Derek Sivers, it’s different than you might think. In less than three minutes, Sivers takes us step-by-step through a movement forming in real time. He shares the lessons we can learn from those who have the courage to follow.

Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: The power of passion and perseverance (5:54)

Angela Lee Duckworth is a public school teacher turned psychologist. Her research indicates success and IQ are not as interconnected as many might think. In this motivational talk, she reinforces the importance of building grit in ourselves and our students.

George Takei: Why I love a country that once betrayed me (15:45)

Still shot of George Takei delivering a TED talk

Explore patriotism and social justice with this engaging talk by actor and activist George Takei. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, young George and his family were forcibly relocated to a Japanese American internment camp. He shares how his father helped him reconcile this experience with the core ideal of American democracy.

Christian Picciolini: My descent into America’s neo-Nazi movement—and how I got out (20:10)

In this courageous talk, Christian Picciolini shares his personal journey of overcoming prejudice and hate. A former neo-Nazi, Picciolini now dedicates his time to helping others combat violent extremism in their own lives. He notes that these movements often target the young, vulnerable, and marginalized—like he once was. (Mature content and drug references.)

Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator (13:55)

Procrastinators, unite! In this relatable TED Talk, Tim Urban offers hilarious insight into the mind of a procrastinator. Kids will find the “instant gratification monkey” both funny and relatable.

Susan Cain: The power of introverts (18:48)

Author Susan Cain argues for the importance of introverts in a world that seems to favor the opposite. She explains why solitude matters, as well as how it contributes to creativity and leadership.

Shane Koyczan: To This Day … for the bullied and beautiful (11:47)

In this powerful video, Koyczan shares his viral spoken-word poem about bullying and survival. This beautiful talk is a must-see for anyone who has ever felt life’s uncertainty, loneliness, or frustration. (Mature content and language.)

Joachim de Posada: Don’t eat the marshmallow! (5:46)

Joachim de Posada explains the value of self-discipline, demonstrated by a famous experiment. Students will laugh at little ones trying hard not to eat a marshmallow. But there’s a lot to learn here too.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Why lunch ladies are heroes (5:12)

Children’s author Jarrett J. Krosoczka illustrates the power of a simple thank-you in this talk. He encourages us to celebrate our cafeteria staff and the important work they do throughout the year.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story (18:33)

Stories matter. In this eye-opening talk, novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains how power shapes the stories we hear and tell others. She warns against the danger of a single story. They can be incomplete and even offer harmful understandings of others based on a single narrative or experience. Adichie raises important questions that can encourage students to explore concepts of identity and perspective.

Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership (6:01)

In this inspiring talk, Drew Dudley explains how small acts of kindness can transform the lives of others. He believes leadership isn’t about changing the world but about changing each other’s understanding of the world.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language may shape who you are (20:46)

Cuddy explains how our body language shapes how others see us—and how we see ourselves. Learn how “power posing” can help us feel more confident.

What are your favorite TED Talks students will want to watch? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out 12 must-see ted talks for teachers ..

These brief impactful videos are ideal for the classroom. Try these TED Talks students will love and talk about long after they're over.

12 Must-See TED Talks for Teachers

These videos changed the way I think about teaching. Continue Reading

101 Incredible Speech Topics for Kids

16 February 2023

Are you looking for some incredible speech topics for kids?

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this blog post, we’ll give you 101 amazing ideas for speech topics that will have your young public speaker feeling confident and excited to take the stage for their next presentation. From discussing their favourite sports team to sharing a personal story, there will surely be a topic on this list that resonates with every child.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

Looking for some fun debating topics? Check out our blog on debate topics here !

What makes a good public speaking topic?

Finding good speech topics, especially as a kid, can be an intimidating task.

As children, our interests tend to change, and it may be difficult to find speech topics that we can expand upon and still engage the audience.

It is important to remember that kids should aim to give presentations on any topic they are passionate about. Ideally, when looking for successful kids’ speech topics, school students should pick a particular topic:

they know well, as this will help them give a good speech without too much extra research;
that has enough content, which will help with speech length; and
is interesting and relevant to the audience they’ll be presenting to.

Taking some time to consider all of these factors will go far in making sure kids create informative, valuable presentations that make their parents proud!

The three different kinds of speeches

Whether your child is a budding public speaker or simply looking to bolster their confidence in front of an audience, it’s important to be aware of the three main types of speeches they can give: Informative, Entertaining, and Persuasive speeches.

An informative speech teaches people something as they explain a process, inform about a topic, or share information with an audience.
An entertaining speech is more light-hearted and focuses on entertaining an audience with a story, joke, or anecdote.
A persuasive speech aims to convince an audience of a particular viewpoint. In these types of speeches, it’s important for the speaker to have strong topic knowledge as well as supporting evidence to back up their argument.

By understanding these three speech styles, young public speakers can choose the speaking style that makes them feel the most comfortable and excited about the task of public speaking.

We have provided a range of topics that fit into each of these three speech types and therefore will be perfect for any young public speaker, regardless of their personal preference!

Remember: you can always put a spin on any speech topic to make it more informative, persuasive, or entertaining. Feel free to challenge yourself by turning one of our persuasive speech topics into a comedic presentation or taking an entertaining topic and using it to build a persuasive speech – there is usually no need to restrict yourself to one particular style of expression!

Informative Speech Topics

At our public speaking courses for kids, we know how important it is to find the perfect informative speech topic. We want your young public speakers to explore ideas and topics that resonate with their interests and spark their passion for presenting!

From urban bees to sports nutrition, science experiments to art history, the possibilities are endless!

Our list of kid-friendly speech topics provides a great starting point for creating an informative, engaging presentation. Whether they choose a familiar subject or something new and exciting, our goal is to support student excellence in every way possible.

Check out these informative speech ideas:

Exploring the Benefits of Outdoor Play
The History of Video Games
How to Become an Eco-Friendly Consumer
The Positive Impact of Music Education
What Makes a Great Leader?
The Science Behind Climate Change
Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
Understanding the International Space Station
Discovering Ancient Civilizations
Exploring Different Cultures Through Dance and Music
Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
The Art and Science of Computer Programming
Every Day Victories
The Harms of Violent Video Games
Types of Alternative Energy Sources
Exploring Different Types of Art
The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
Ancient Mythology and Folklore
The Science Behind the Human Brain
Famous Scientists in History
The Most Delicious Meal of All Time
Recycling and Waste Management Solutions
Global Warming vs Climate Change
Robotics: Past, Present, and Future
Understanding the Solar System
The Biggest Social Issues of our Times
The Secret Life of…
Investigating Animal Habitats in Nature
Why E-Books are the Future
Exploring the Wonders of Chemistry

Entertaining Speech Topics

Figuring out entertaining topics for public speaking can be a challenge, especially when the speaker is young.

However, the right topic can be the key to making a great impression on your audience.

Whether you are interested in discussing robotics or telling stories of your own life experiences, there is bound to be an entertaining speech topic suitable for everyone!

Our rich variety of topics ensures that young public speakers have plenty of choices when it comes to finding what will make for a captivating performance.

Check out these 30 fun topic ideas that can humour, shock, or entertain the audience:

Proof that We Live in a Computer Game
The Best Jokes for Kids
My Imaginary Friend
My Crazy Summer Vacation
How I Got In Trouble With My Parents
Weird Foods Around the World
Fun Facts About Dinosaurs
Frighteningly Funny Ghost Stories
If I Were a Cartoon Character…
Embarrassing Moments We’d Rather Forget!
Epic Pranks I’ve Pulled off So Far
Interesting Reasons Why We Laugh
Life Through a Dog’s Eyes
My Favourite Outdoor Activity
If I had One Superpower…
Superheroes and Their Amazing Powers
The Best Thing About Dragons
Why Too Much TV is a Good Thing
Funny Things I’ve Heard on the Bus
Unusual Hobbies Around the World
Weird Etiquette Rules That Don’t Make Any Sense
How to Make Your Own Board Game
Mysteries of the Deep Sea
Exploring Outer Space: Astronomy for Kids
Fantastic Fables from Other Countries
Bizarre Traditions From Around the World
The Art of Storytelling: Creative Writing Ideas
Fun Facts About Animals
Learning with Lego: Building a Better Future
The Power of Imagination: Mindful Meditation Techniques

Persuasive Speech Topics

Writing a persuasive speech can be intimidating for kids, but it doesn’t have to be.

Not sure where to start? No problem! We have plenty of kid-friendly persuasive speech topics to get students’ creative juices flowing.

From discussing the importance of friendship and relationship building to spurring environmental awareness, we have the perfect persuasive speech topics for any young public speaker.

Become confident and display your power of persuasion with our helpful advice and engaging list of topics.

Have a look at these 30 persuasive speech topics that can help kids call others to action:

The Benefits of Social Media
How to Become a Responsible Citizen
The Value of Having Good Manners
Taking Care of the Environment: Reducing Pollution and Waste
The One Thing I Know About Eating Healthy Foods
Exercise for Kids: Why It Is Important
The Impact of Technology on Education
Building Better Communities Through Community Service
Developing Self-Discipline for Success in Life
Argumentative Strategies That Can Be Used In Everyday Life
The Power of Positive Thinking
Creating Lasting Memories with Family Time
Exploring Different Cultures with Travel and Adventure
The Importance of Teamwork and Collaboration
My Favourite Restaurant
Why I Learned a Second Language (and You Should Too)
Exploring Causes for Climate Change and Possible Solutions
Learning the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure
Making Wise Choices When Shopping Responsibly
Understanding Cyberbullying and Taking Action Against It
Finding Success in Failure: Reframing the Mindset
Learning About Money Management through Financial Literacy Programs
Practising Compassion, Kindness, and Respect For Others
Building Self-Confidence Through Leadership Activities
Using Creativity to Solve Everyday Problems
Exploring Ways to Balance School and Extracurricular Activities
Making Healthy Choices Through Positive Leadership
The Wisdom of Being a Young Person
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Schools
Learning How To Analyze Fake News with Critical Thinking Skills

Classic Speech Topics for Kids

Not sure if you want to do an informative, persuasive, or entertaining speech?

Are you looking for classic topics that have been done time and time again but are popular topics for a reason?

Look no further than these classic speech topics:

My Favorite Book
What I Learned From My Pet
How to Have Fun Without Technology
The Place That Inspires Me the Most
The Power of Music
What It Means To Be A Good Friend
My Best Day Ever
If I had Three Wishes…
Living a Simple But Fulfilling Life
Celebrating Diversity in Our Community
My Hero: The Person Who Inspires Me the Most

Impromptu and Abstract Speaking Topics

Whilst approaching impromptu and abstract speech topics can be daunting, there actually isn’t much difference between them and normal speech topics.

Impromptu speech topics are usually more generic, providing students with the opportunity to reflect on their own lived experiences and share that with their audience. Rather than spending time finding the perfect content to fit impromptu speech topics, the better approach is generally to bend the topic to something that you’re familiar with and comfortable speaking about, whether it be knitting being the best part of your day or a conversation you had with a friend about time travel.

Being prepared will give your child the confidence necessary to make their presentation successful – so if you’re not sure what speech topic you’re likely to get, make sure to think up plenty of anecdotes before the presentation!

Picking the perfect speech topics for kids

Now that you have a fantastic speech idea, it’s time to get writing!

Let our resources help guide you through the speech crafting process (we’ve got plenty of blogs and videos to help) and give your child the opportunity to shine on the stage. Don’t forget to practice your speaking manner either, including your tone of voice and body language!

Moreover, our in-person and online courses provide step-by-step instruction and guidance throughout each program so kids learn exactly how real-world speaking works – all tailored specifically for your own future speaker.

You can also visit our YouTube Channel for advice to guide you through the entire speech writing process, as well as expert tips for practising your performance!

So don’t wait – take advantage today and get ready to stand out from the crowd with an amazing speech!

21 Famous Speeches For Kids Your Kids Should Know About

Famous Speech From Leaders For Kids

Famous speech from sports for kids, famous speech from artist for kids, famous speech from scientists for kids.

A speech is a ceremonial address delivered to spectators by a person who seeks to persuade, inform, and inspire.

It is a very influential and powerful tool through which many eminent individuals have changed the world and human life as we know it. There have been a plethora of life-changing inspirational speeches by celebrated eminent personalities, which neither gets old nor does it fail to rouse our emotions when they are still heard today.

Some of the most famous speeches have transcended time and place and are still relevant to this day because the wisdom in a great speech had the power to stir emotions after decades and even after the speaker's death.

There isn't a specific set of rules that can make a speech great. Most famous historical speeches have been about multiple affairs and, in many different languages.

It doesn't matter if the speech is a long or a short speech. What matters is if it has the power to inspire, influence, and capture the audience's attention.

It could be the gravity of the author's argument, how well it has been portrayed to the hearers, or the usage of words and choice of vocabulary, that gives the speech its quality.

These factors led to some of the most famous speeches in history being unforgotten and still influential worldwide.

Some of the greatest speeches have impacted generations after generations, have reshaped the way people think, have influenced new ideals, and broken age-old archaic norms. Many have also given rise to revolutionary changes that were necessary battling against all odds to achieve a better future and greater things.

These speeches still stand the test of time because they are treated as the cornerstones for the rise of many ideals adopted in the modern era.

Three components are considered essential elements in a great speech. They are tone, substance, and effect.

A great speech need not have ornate word jewelry to make it great. The presence of flowery and profound language does give the speech its substance.

What it needs is artful construction, which can make even the simplest of contexts sound beautiful both for hearing and reading.

Instead, it should be centered and focused on a profound topic, seeking to appeal to the audience and provide inspiration to uphold ideals and values.

A great speech aims to influence the listeners and their opinions on a matter, to change perspective and the hearts and minds of the masses, and should be inclusive of all generations of the present age and the future.

We've compiled some of the greatest speeches given by some of the most eminent and famous people in the past and during recent times. These speeches have had a significant impact worldwide because of their enthusiasm and because of the very words through which they were delivered to the masses.

Listening to these speeches has been the beacon of light during times of sadness and suffering. They are the symbol of hope during heartache, bravery in times of weakness, and uplift broken people's will.

Many of these speeches have been the cornerstones for the change in the course of history.

These speeches are like valuable time capsules, and it is through these speeches, human beings from past ages continue to live on. Some of the most notable speeches made history with excerpts to prove that these words are transcendent.

The most notable speeches of all time were given by some of the most famous leaders, American Presidents, chiefs, preachers, and other notable personalities who moved the audience and inspired their minds.

'I Have A Dream' is one of the most electrifying public speeches ever delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.

In August 1963, American civil rights activist and Baptist minister; Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the masses attending the March in Washington for jobs and freedom by saying; "I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification - one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

In the speech, Martin Luther King fought for equal economic and civil rights for the African-American people and was a direct address of rampant racism that prevailed in the United States.

It is one of the most significant speeches for equality and freedom and a pivotal moment of the civil rights movement in American history.

Queen Elizabeth I's speech to the troops at Tilbury delivered to the young men fighting in the English forces in the wake of a war with Spain in the 1580s is still one of the most moving speeches that defined feminism and gender equality.

When scorned King Phillip II of Spain prepared for the charge of England to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I of England, she addressed her nervous troops with the words, "I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: To which rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

Queen Elizabeth's specifically used the words "feeble woman" and "foul scorn" to emphasize that even in a patriarchal era, a woman had enough power to rule and lead an army into battle and emerge victoriously.

It is universally considered one of the most defining moments in the history of Great Britain.

Theodore Roosevelt's great speech 'Duties of American Citizenship' was one of the greatest speeches delivered on the theoretical reasons why every individual needs politics in their lives and why they should be involved in it.

Roosevelt admonished the ones who kept themselves away from politics by saying, "It ought to be axiomatic in this country that every man must devote a reasonable share of his time to doing his duty in the Political life of the community.

No man has a right to shirk his political duties under whatever plea of pleasure or business..." Roosevelt's "The Man with the Muck-rake" was also an iconic speech that sought to expose the corruption in society by addressing them as "muckrakers."

Another defining speech by an eminent leader is 'We Shall Fight on the Beaches' by Winston Churchill, one of the most eloquent orators in the United Kingdom.

During the Battle of France, Winston Churchill addressed the British House Of Commons by saying, "We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

His speech was like the "landing grounds" of hope for Britain during one of her darkest periods, and it celebrated the success at Dunkirk as well as exposed the horrors of war addressing it as a "colossal military disaster."

An example of a heartbreaking speech in history is the 'Surrender Speech' by Chief Joseph in 1877, which had moved the masses to a mess of tears.

It was addressed to General Howard when the military had forcefully declared that Chief Joseph, along with his tribe of Nez Perce, had to rehabilitate themselves to an Idaho reservation or face retribution for the death of two white men in the hands of his tribesmen.

Chief Joseph said these bleak, moving words to avoid violence, "Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart.

I am tired of fighting.

Looking Glass is dead. It is the young men who say, 'yes' or 'no.'

He who led the young men is dead." He was referring to Looking Glass, who was one of the war leaders of the Nez Perce group after he was killed by Cheyenne scout from the army.

John F. Kennedy's 'Inaugural Address' was one of the most eloquent speeches that had moved the nation. His most notable words in the speech, "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man" made the masses feel that a new era had dawned upon welcoming a "new frontier."

Ronald Reagan's speech 'Address to the Nation on the Challenger' was one of the most memorable speeches delivered on January 28, 1986.

In the aftermath of the blast of the space shuttle Challenger that led to the deaths of seven Americans, Reagan addressed the nation via radio to honor the lives lost by saying, "They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers," and also to bring comfort to the ones disturbed and heartbroken by the incident by saying, "I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen.

It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery.

It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons.

The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." Another speech by Reagan was "Tear down this wall!"

in 1987 1987 addressed to the Soviet Leader when the Cold War was reigning supreme.

Abraham Lincoln's 'The Gettysburg Address,' delivered on November 19, 1863, is a true example of a short and unforgettable speech that still rings with the sound of relevance in the modern age.

His words, "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."

In a span of three minutes, not only did he address the horrors of war that the men who died in Gettysburg experienced on the battlefield, but he also intended to address the matter of equality and if the government was up for maintaining that proposition.

Some of the most famous and moving speeches have been delivered by some of the most notable sportsmen who people have looked up to all their lives.

For instance, the Yankee's first baseman, Lou Gehrig, who was nicknamed the Iron Horse for his undying dedication to the game, addressed the crowd for the last time with his 'Farewell to Baseball Address' speech on July 4, 1939.

He gave this speech when the Yankees hosted a ceremony as a toast to their teammate without a single word of regret or wallowing pity.

He showed gratefulness for how lucky he was for all the achievements he got.

Kevin Durant's 2013-2014 MVP acceptance speech is also one of the most moving speeches by athletes.

In this speech, he acknowledges the trials and tribulations, the hard work, and sacrifices he had to go through to be precisely where he is, and shows great appreciation for everyone who stuck with him throughout his journey, including his family, his coaches, teammates, friends as well as supporters and helped him in his journey to success.

Darrell Green's 'Hall Of Fame Speech' is said to be one of the greatest' Hall Of Fame Speeches" of all time. It is heartfelt and heart-wrenching at the same time when he addressed his deceased parents and said, "Deacon Jones said I'm going to cry.

You bet your life I'm going to cry!" In this speech, he spoke highly of his father, Leonard Green, who never lost faith in him and believed him even when others did not by saying, "They said no, but he said 'go.'"

Artists can be master orators because of how they perceive things and human life, and some of their speeches have been greatly impactful.

One of the most notable instances is when Neil Gaiman delivered an inspirational Commencement Speech at the University of the Arts in 2012. Despite not having attended college, Gaiman is a remarkable orator, master writer, and one of the best storytellers in the modern age.

In this particular speech, he addressed the budding artists in the university and said, "When life gets hard, as it inevitably will, make good art. Just make good art.

Make your own art, meaning the art that reflects your individuality and personal vision." This speech was so inspirational that it was later adapted into an illustrated book entitled 'Make Good Art.'

When it comes to comic humor, Bill Watterson is considered royalty, and in his speech at the Kenyon College 1990, he specifically emphasized the importance of creativity. He motivates the audience by saying, "If I've learned one thing from being a cartoonist, it's how important playing is to creativity and happiness.

At school, new ideas are thrust at you every day. Out in the world, you'll have to find the inner motivation to search for new ideas on your own."

Another great example is the speech 'The Pleasure Of Books' by William Lyon Phelps, an American educator, scholarly critic, and writer.

In this speech, he focuses on the importance of reading by saying, "Books are for use, not for show; you should own no book that you are afraid to mark up, or afraid to place on the table, wide open and face down."

Through this speech, the author's main intention was to entertain everyone listening with his own opinions and thoughts on books and how they should be handled.

His tone is awe and inspiration, praising the act and art of reading, and hones in on his belief that books are indeed the greatest treasure given to humankind.

Some of the greatest scientists have moved masses with their speeches about their discoveries, inventions, and take on life.

The best example for this category would be Albert Einstein's speech entitled 'Wonders of Science,' which he had delivered in Berlin in 1930.

He speaks in awe of the miraculous creations brought about by science by saying, "The origin of all technical achievements is the divine curiosity and the play instinct of the working and thinking researcher as well as the constructive fantasy of the technical inventor."

Another instance is when Rachel Carson shared her eloquent environmental message to the Garden Club of America in January 1963 in New York.

In this speech, 'A New Chapter to Silent Spring' she praises the Garden Club of America by saying, "Through your interest in plant life, your fostering of beauty, your alignment with constructive conservation causes, you promote that onward flow of life that is the essence of our world."

She then emphasizes the importance of proper agriculture later in the speech, intending to bring about a significant change.

Some other notable speeches by people of science are by environmental activist Jane Goodall whose speech 'What Separates Us From The Apes' was as impactful as it was informative.

In this speech, Goodall speaks in support of these animals by saying, "The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves," which is a commonly recurring line in most of her speeches.

Last but not least, Amelia Earhart's speech, 'A Woman's Place in Science,' which she delivered as a radio broadcast in 1935, speaks volumes just from the title itself.

Through this speech, Earhart asserted her belief that women can and should be whatever and wherever they want to be, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and should be encouraged to do so.

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With an accomplished background as a Veterinarian, SEO content writer, and public speaker, Oluniyi brings a wealth of skills and experience to his work. Holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan, he provides exceptional consulting services to pet owners, animal farms, and agricultural establishments. Oluniyi's impressive writing career spans over five years, during which he has produced over 5000 high-quality short- and long-form pieces of content. His versatility shines through as he tackles a diverse array of topics, including pets, real estate, sports, games, technology, landscaping, healthcare, cosmetics, personal loans, debt management, construction, and agriculture.

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21 Best TED Talks to Inspire Kids [2024 Update]

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Looking for the best TED talks to watch with your kids?

Our children are the key to the future—but they can only be that key if they have been raised well, in a healthy environment.

In this post, we share with you 21 TED Talks for kids and by kids that can aid you in raising a child with a good heart. These videos may be short, but they say a lot when it comes to describing the values each and every person (not just kids) need to enrich their lives.

So, if you want your children (and even yourself) to increase their happiness and reach their highest potential , read on and check out our list.

Table of Contents

1. What Adults Can Learn from Kids

Via Adora Svitak

This TED Talk is probably the most popular of the bunch. Adora Svitak, a child prodigy, explains how children see the world with a broader perspective. She claims that adults need to think like children sometimes, and be a little more “childish.”

Svitak explains to her audience that children have the biggest dreams. She cites Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Charlie Simpson as examples of people who managed to help the world in the most significant ways, despite being “just” children.

This TED Talk is not just for kids—it is also for those who are kids at heart. Whatever your age, you need to hear Svitak talk about life and what each person can offer to the world.

2. Grit: The Power of Pas sion and Perseverance

Via Angela Lee Duckworth

Based on a book with the same title, this TED Talk features Angela Lee Duckworth talking about how to properly use grit and self-control to be successful in life. She shares the secret to achievement: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance , not talent and intelligence (a many people think).

What inspired Duckworth to complete her book and give her talk was her own experience. She was often regarded as someone who lacked the talent and skill to become like her father, who was a scientist.

But when she grew up to become a New York public school teacher, she realized that even if a person is talented and intelligent, he wouldn’t necessarily be successful if he doesn’t have the grit to make his dreams happen.

3. The Best Kindergarten You’ve Ever Seen

Via Takaharu Tezuka

This talk is about Fuji Kindergarten—the best kindergarten you will ever see. Fuji Kindergarten was founded in 2007 by Takaharu Tezuka, an architect who received his graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

The school was designed to let kids be kids in the most natural way. It is circular in shape, and does not threaten or frighten kids into being quiet.

Basically, Tezuka wants to teach children how to be independent. He believes that kids should learn how to fall and then stand up and get back on their feet , all on their own.

4. A 12-Year-Old App Developer

Via Thomas Suarez

Thomas Suarez is not your ordinary 12-year-old kid. While most boys his age are busy playing video games, his focus is on building one, and teaching other kids how to do the same.

This amazing boy is also a confident public speaker. Indeed, there are other young developers out there, some who are way younger than him, but Mr. Suarez stands out because of his confidence to share his motivational words with the world.

The iPhone app he built is called “Bustin Jieber,” which is a “whack-a-mole” game that allows you whack the Biebs. Today, he has his own company called CarrotCorp.

5. Yup, I Built a Nuclear Fusion Reactor

Via Taylor Wilson

Taylor Wilson believes that kids can change the world and the future, so he built a nuclear fusion reactor as a solution to society’s energy needs. Want to know where he built it? In his parents’ garage!

The nuclear fusion reactor was completed when he was just 14. When he turned 17, he went on the TED stage to share his short yet very inspiring story.

According to Mr. Wilson, he wants other kids to know that they can change the future and make a difference just like he did. He aims to be an inspiration to the other young scientists out there.

6. Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling

Via Emilie Wapnick

A common question asked by adults of many young people is “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This may be an easy question to answer for really young kids, but as days and years go by, it becomes harder.

This is because some kids develop multiple potentials. They become extremely talented in a variety of areas—a true jack of all trades.

Emilie Wapnick argues that it is okay if you are not yet sure what you want to do. She explains that, as a child turning into a teen and then a young adult, it is okay if you have a wide range of interests. You will land on different jobs and do a lot of things in your lifetime, but you will still have a hard time determining which is your true calling.

And that is totally fine. There is no need to feel rattled and pressured. Just embrace who you are, and become happy with whatever you do. Who knows? The world might need more people with lots of potential.

7. Science Is for Everyone, Kids Included

Via Beau Lotto and Amy O’Toole

This TED Talk is by Beau Lotto and Amy O’Toole. Beau Lotto is a neuroscientist who thinks that everyone—kids included—should learn and apply science. He believes that this type of participation is achievable if people will try to discover more things and change their perception.

Amy O’Toole is a 12-year-old student who helped run a science experiment using Lotto’s approach. She is one of the youngest people ever to have published a peer-reviewed science paper. She accompanies Lotto in this talk to inspire other children to be engaged in the study and application of science.

8. A Promising Test for Pancreatic Cancer…From a Teenager

Via Jack Andraka

Many people are diagnosed with cancer every day, and some of them are pancreatic cancer patients that have been diagnosed late. This means that they have a lower chance of survival.

But with Jack Andraka’s invention, pancreatic cancer can now be detected immediately. In this TED Talk, he shares the story of how he discovered this cheap, sensitive cancer detector at a very young age.

At the same time, Jack tries to convince the world—and particularly children—to dream big and learn new things. Who knows? Your kid could be the person who discovers the actual cure for cancer.

9. How I Harnessed the Wind

Via William Kamkwamba

William Kamkwamba is famous for building an electricity-producing windmill made out of spare parts and scrap. His story was actually turned into a book and movie entitled “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.”

He was 14 back then, struggling to overcome poverty and famine. Today, he is 22 and delivering a TED Talk to inspire more people to reach their highest potential and be the change they want to see in the world.

10. Underwater Astonishments

Via David Gallo

This TED Talk is perfect for children, as it shows the beauty of nature underwater. Delivered by David Gallo, it talks about the works of Edith Widder and Roger Hanlon, two other pioneer ocean explorers.

Gallo argues that our oceans are barely explored, but that they hold incredible wonders. You might be surprised to know that 97% of the world’s oceans have not yet been explored, and many things that lie underwater remain hidden.

If you check out this show with your kid, you will surely have a great time appreciating the ocean and what lies beneath.

11. Everyday Leadership

Via Drew Dudley

According to Drew Dudley, leadership is innate in all of us—he doesn’t believe that it is just for extraordinary people.

In this talk, Dudley shares his thoughts on how people can discover the “leader” within them. He imparts his knowledge about leadership and how it can improve our daily lives.

If you want your sons and daughters to become great leaders, watch this TED Talk with them. Who knows—they could end up being the President of the United States!

12. A Life Lesson from a Volunteer Firefighter

Via Mark Bezos

Mark Bezos is a volunteer firefighter and assistant captain of a fire company in New York. But his main job is at Robin Hood, a poverty-fighting charity based in New York City that provides for poor people.

In this TED Talk, Mark Bezos challenges his audience to make a difference in the world, and in somebody else’s life. You do not have to wait for an opportunity to be the hero—you can make an impact through the smallest acts of kindness.

13. A Warrior ’s Cry Against Child Marriage

Via Memory Banda

A leader for girls’ rights, Memory Banda shares the story of how her strength and dedication changed her life path. She talks about how she managed to have a different future from that of her sister.

At a very young age, her sister was sent to an “initiation camp.” This traditional camp taught young girls how to arouse men and please them in bed. Her sister got pregnant at the age of 11.

Banda refused to go when it was her turn. She organized a group to convince their community leader to issue a law prohibiting girls under 18 years old from getting married. She succeeded, and even extended her advocacy to a national level.

Her story is a unique act of bravery that is worth sharing with millions of people all around the world.

14. Teach Girls Bravery, N ot Perfection

Via Reshma Saujani

One very special line Reshma Saujani shares in this talk is “I need each of you to tell every young woman you know to be comfortable with imperfection.”

Saujani wants girls to be taught bravery and strength, rather than perfection. According to her, there are two skills girls need to learn to be successful: taking risks and programming a computer.

Reshma Saujani has one goal, and that is to engage millions of women in computer science by 2020. We are well into the digital era, and she believes that we need to help women keep up with the technological advances in the world.

15. My Invention That Made Peace with Lions

Via Richard Turere

In this TED Talk, Richard Turere shares how he made peace with lions and prevented a bloodbath, back when he was a 13-year-old Maasai boy.

Cattle are the most important creature in the Maasai community. Villagers do whatever it takes to protect their cattle. When lion attacks became frequent, the people had no choice but to take matters into their hands and kill the lions.

This is not the solution that Turere envisioned. He wanted a more peaceful solution for the lions. So he invented “lion lights,” which are solar-powered bulbs that scare lions away during the night.

In this talk, Turere explains how things can be solved in a peaceful manner. There is no need to shed blood or take lives—whether of animals or people—as there are always alternatives.

16. Dare to Dream Big

Via Isabella Rose Taylor

This live performance during TEDxHollywood inspired millions of students to keep dreaming big, continue believing in themselves , and have the courage to stand their ground no matter what.

Delivered by fashion designer Isabella Rose Taylor, the speech was also intended to explain the value of having a strong support system.

Although this speech has not yet reached mainstream media, you can check it out on YouTube and Taylor’s page. Watch it together with your kids so they can learn the importance of commitment and a determined mindset.

17. 8 Secrets of Success

Via Richard St. John

According to Richard St. John, there are eight words to ponder when you want to achieve success: passion, work, good, focus, push, serve, ideas, and persist. He says that if you want to do something and make a living from it, you should first do it for love and not for the money.

People succeed in life not because of intelligence or luck, but because of a combination of St. John’s eight secrets. You need to have the passion to work for it, never stop practicing until you become good and then eventually better than the rest, put your focus into it and keep pushing yourself, serve the people with what you do, keep the ideas flowing, and keep on perseve ring until you reach your goal .

18. What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness

Via Robert Waldinger

Robert Waldinger spent almost his entire life studying happiness and where it really comes from. Fame and popularity? No. Money? Still no.

Three things bring happiness: social connections, high-quality, close interactions, and good relationships. Happiness, according to him, is all about finding the right people to share life with.

Waldinger suggests that with these three things, not only do people feel happy, they also become healthy. Establishing good relationships helps in achieving a one-of-a-kind, happy life.

19. Living Beyond Limits

Via Amy Purdy

When Amy Purdy was 19, she suffered from meningitis and lost both her legs. But now, she is a professional snowboarder. She even joined Dancing with the Stars and crushed the competition.

In this TED Talk, she talks about how she drew inspiration from the incident and pushed herself beyond her limits, motivating herself to do things that most people thought were impossible.

Amy Purdy is truly an inspiration to all people, not just kids. There are a lot of things that can be learned from her.

20. Weird, or Just Different?

Via Derek Sivers

Derek Sivers encourages his audience to think differently. How? There are two ways: surround yourself with diversity and flip the coin upside down.

Having had the opportunity to live in different countries, Sivers learned that a view of different cultures can help you see the world from various perspectives. You learn to appreciate things that you normally wouldn’t even notice.

Once you have considered all factors on one side of the coin, flip it over and consider the other angles. Discuss these views with people, and you might be surprised at how many ideas come up.

This TED Talk is marketed toward business owners and entrepreneurs. Nonetheless, it is also a good show for children, as it teaches the value of open-mindedness.

21. The Happy Secret to Better Work

Via Shawn Achor

According to psychologist Shawn Achor, there are five things you need to maintain a happy life: gratitude , journaling , exercise , meditation , and random acts of kindness.

Achor believes that you do not need to work hard to be happy, but that it is actually the other way around—you need to be happy so you can become productive and be able to work hard. Happiness is what inspires us to do more and be more.

Final Thoughts on the Best TED Talks for Kids

Children can learn from adults the values they need to become good people. But at the same time, there is a lot to learn from children—especially how they see the world through their innocent eyes.

Sometimes, we get too focused on adult things and forget how to be happy . But if we just rest for a while and keep our eyes open, we will see that the world is a beautiful place to live.

We hope that, with the list we provided, we were able to help you find the best TED talks for your kids. We recommend checking out all these short videos to help your children develop good characteristics and unique abilities.

And if you want more fun resources for kids, check out these blog posts:

15 Social Skills Activities to Help Your Kids Emotionally Develop
12 Self-Awareness Activities for Kids & Young Students
9 Printable Feelings Chart Examples for Kids

Finally, if you want to level up your parenting skills, then check out this resource that will show you how to get your kids to listen WITHOUT yelling, nagging, or losing control .

ted talks for kids | ted talks for education | ted talks for elementary students

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Fun speech topics

Fun speech topics for kids of all ages

60 suggestions for humorous speeches.

By: Susan Dugdale

Below are 60 light-hearted fun speech topic ideas arranged in groups of 15.

They span telling stories, exaggerated for comic effect, based on our own behavior - e.g. "How to procrastinate like a professional", to creative absurdities like, "Paw readings for dogs. What do those canine's lines reveal? Madame Flo reports on her research." ☺

15 fun speech topics

more funny speech topics
another 15 humorous topics
And my last set of 15 fun speech ideas

Find your own fun speech topic from one of mine

Treat a topic suggestion as a prompt to think about yourself and the situations you've been in. Real stories from our own lives are often the most appealingly amusing of them all!

These don't have to be rollicking-fall-off-the-chair-roll-on-the-floor-cry-with-laughter events. An ordinary collection of foibles mixed with the silliness of everyday life is enough to make an audience smile - mostly because they recognize the truth and see elements of themselves in what you're sharing!

For instance, the first topic in my first group of fifteen is, 'How to procrastinate like a professional - ten top tips'.

How does that topic, procrastination, apply to you? Or to others close to you?

When a speech is due is that a cue to go for a run, a very long one, because we all know exercise is an important part of ensuring optimum brain function? When you come back you'll be full of bright ideas and get right into it.

Is it time to clean the fridge? Or chat to a long lost second cousin? Or party up large because the deadline is still a few days away? (That's plenty of time!)

Acknowledging and laughing in a kindly way at ourselves is funny. We're human. We all try to fool ourselves - some of us more than others.

Take the truths you find, add imagination, a little exaggeration for comedic effect, and write!

At the foot of the page you'll find links to help you craft your speech. Sadly, intentionally "funny" speeches rarely are, without effort!

Image- drawing of a cat snuggled under a blanket. Text: how to tell if your cat needs counseling.

How to procrastinate like a professional - ten top tips.
Five sure-to-impress excuses for not handing in your homework (getting to work on time, coming home on time...)
How to tell if your cat (dog, goldfish...) needs counseling.
How to successfully annoy your parents (co-workers, friends...)
The top three strangest hobbies.
The secrets your choice of hobby reveal.
How to get others to do your work for you without them knowing.
Five ways to test if your friends are really your friends.
How to successfully and spectacularly fail your exams.
My secret life as Mr Magic (Miss Universe...)
How to be the favorite person of everybody.
Why junk food is good for you.
Why lying well can be useful.
How to look intelligent.

Return to Top

15 more funny speech topics

Image: orange pumpkins. Text:how to psychologically prepare pumpkins for Halloween.

The Christmas (birthday) presents I would really like to give my family.
Five ways to say 'go away' to an annoying person without appearing rude.
The silliest or dumbest accidents
The oddest sports
Vegetables have feeling too
How to tell if a tomato is shy
How to psychologically prepare pumpkins for Halloween or turkeys for Thanksgiving
Teaching cabbages to talk
Cruelty to broccoli
Fashion tips for poodles - the latest revealed
Is your dog (cat, goldfish...) intelligent? 10 IQ questions to find out.
Paw readings for dogs. What do those canine's lines reveal? Madame Flo reports on her research.
Teach your pet to talk. Easy step by step exercises to communicate fluently with any animal of your choice.
How to use corporate jargon without embarrassment or ever revealing what you really mean
The uses for a brick (eg. a weight, a weapon, or a car back stop. Anything other than its intended use.)

Another 15 fun speech topics

Retro image - lovers embracing in the moonlight. Text: how to prepare for a first kiss. What should a person know?

How to know if your he-man loves you
The funniest tee shirt sayings
Crazy inventions
The silliest advertising campaign
How NOT to get a date
How to prepare for your first kiss - what a person should know
How to practice the art of getting others to pick up the tab for you - sponging with style
What a choice of house reveals about its owner - match personality type to dwellings
Famous failures
The weirdest sounding words - what they really mean. How to use them in conversation.
The top 10 words to impress. Examples.
Being beautiful is over rated.
The food I least like to eat and why
They said it. Embarrassing speech blunders of famous people
Mondays should be banned.

And yet another 15 fun speech topics

Image: women drying her hair.Text: Hairdressing fails. My worst bad hair day.

The new national holiday is XXX (Decide and theme a day's activity around it. Example: Smile Day
Hairdressing disasters - My worst bad hair day ever!
Word replacements. From now on XXX word is forbidden for whatever reason you can think of. In its place we will say XXX and do it for the rest of your speech.
A collection of the world's oddest records - the biggest teaspoon collection, the tiniest person...
The rules of my household are...
What really makes the world go round? The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about XXX (insert whatever you like)
Words of great wisdom - Things I've learned - Never use an electric kettle to boil milk, etc
How to look innocent. Guaranteed 100% success!
When your mother says 'you look lovely, honey' what is she really trying to tell you? How to decode your parent's conversation
The funniest things I've done or said without intending to be funny.
The funniest sayings (expressions) I've heard and where they came from.
The best trick that was played on me.
Cute or funny things my pets have done.
If they could talk, what would they be saying? Walls, chairs, desks, the fridge...
The Beginners Guide to Texting - How to teach your Granny to text.

Ha, ha, ha, hee, hee, hee

Image: retro illustration of a man laughing and pointing. Text: ha, ha, ha

To get the best from yourself and your topic do have a look at the following pages. They offer tips, suggestions and examples on how to use humor effectively.

It's rare to be a naturally "funny" speaker. Choosing your topic is just the beginning!

great funny speeches
how to use humor effectively
types of verbal humor

Go well! I hope you get them laughing out loud.

PS. Here's another collection of ideas you might like to browse: 188 funny how to speech topics for not-so serious demonstration speeches.

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Speech Topics for Kids

Speech topics for kids should include more than "how I spent my summer vacation!".

I remember having to do this every year in elementary school... blah, boring! It was exceptionally boring if our family didn't DO anything special that year.

So here you'll find a few different, more inspiring speech topics for children that will help fire their imaginations and prompt them to talk about the subjects closest to their hearts.

Find more than 40 speech ideas and prompts for young students to draw from below .

1st 10 Speech Topics For Kids

persuade us that doing homework is good/not good for you
convince us that watching cartoons is good/not good for you
argue that recess should be longer
explain why dogs are better than cats (or the other way around)
show us how to make a popsicle pencil holder
show us how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich
tell us why living on planet Earth is better than living on planet Mars
tell us what happened to the dinosaurs
show us how to stop a nosebleed
tell us what makes you a good friend to have

Set 2 - Speech Ideas for Kids

tell us about the world's largest animal (blue whale)
tell us about the world's tallest animal (giraffe)
tell us about the world's fastest insect (dragonfly)
talk about air pollution and how to reduce it where you live
What is the best thing about summer?
What planet would you visit and why?
Responding to bullies on the playground
Yes/no - too much violence on TV
Who is your hero/heroine and why?
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Set 3 - Speech Topics for Young Students

How would you make your school better?
What is your favorite kind of music and why?
Tell us about your favorite outdoor activity
tell us about your favorite book
Your favorite thing about going back to school is?
Why should everyone eat more vegetables
persuade us that drinking soda is bad for your health
what is your favorite sport?
convince us to recycle
tell us why too much TV is bad for your health

Set 4 - More Public Speaking Subjects Appropriate for Children

Tell us why wearing a uniform to school is/is not a good idea
tell us how rainbows are formed
how to tell time with a sun clock
why is it important to brush your teeth?
What is the greatest thing ever invented?
Which cartoon character or fairy tale character would you like to be?
What is your favorite sports activity?
What are the safety rules for riding a bike?
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
What animal would you be if you could be an animal for a day?

I hope these speech topics for kids have given you some ideas that may motivate your young students to produce some exciting presentations.

You may also like to check out some positive quotes for kids , which often inspire speech ideas themselves! Using a quote as a prompt for a speech is fun, and it can be very enlightening to discover just what some quotes mean to younger students.

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Two of the great benefits of speeches for kids is that children of all ages can learn about public speaking and cultivating their ability to self-reflect. From school presentations to extracurricular activities, these speech topics are a terrific way to spark interesting conversations among students. and insightful debates

Problem Solving

Topics based on problem solving are fun to discuss and think about. They ignite creativity and make for awesome speech topics no matter your child's age.

Free Easter Speeches for Children They Can Easily Memorize
Student Council Speech Ideas & Tips to Help You Win
Funny Student Council Speech Ideas to Help Everyone Relate to You

For Younger Kids

Problem solving topics for younger children give them practice processing trickier subjects and questions. Younger kids can consider:

How do I make myself feel better when I feel sad or angry?
What is the hardest choice I had to make in this past week?
Why do I recycle?
Why is it important to listen to my parents?
What does laughter feel like in my body?

For Older Kids

Older children can think about more challenging questions and prompts when it comes to problem solving. Some options include:

What are my solutions for protecting the environment?
How we can help (insert endangered species) thrive?
How does stress impact me?
How I respect others with different opinions?
How did I conquer my biggest fear?
How do I resolve arguments with friends?
How have I tackled challenging decisions?

Developing Insight

Insight is incredibly important for kids to learn how to develop. Because this is a learned process, using a speech writing prompt is a great way to begin better understanding self-reflection.

Younger kids are well versed in feeling strong emotions , making these great speech options. Consider the following choices for their speech.

Why are my feelings important?
What makes me feel the happiest?
How do I know when I feel sad?
Where do I feel happiness in my body?
What does it feel like when my parents say no to me?

Older children can be pushed to think more about how emotions and situations personally impact them. The following questions can help get your child's creativity going.

What have my emotions taught me?
Can fear be a helpful or positive emotion?
How do I typically deal with challenging situations?
Do I feel comfortable asking for help?
What does integrity mean to me?

Creative Topics

Creative topics are always fun to explore with students, and they can make for entertaining speeches . The following prompts can be discussed with older and younger children to help them begin writing their speech.

Younger children have great imaginations. You can discuss the following with them for potential speech topics.

What would I do if I traded places with one of my parents?
What would I do if I had superpowers for one day?
What would my dream house look like?
If I could be any animal for a day, what I would be?
What is the grossest food combination?

Creative speeches give older schoolchildren an opportunity to think outside the box and share their ideas with their peers. They can consider:

What motivates my actions?
If I could change the world in any way, what would I do?
What is a positive moment that happened within the last week?
Why does dancing make me happy?
Which television character do I identify the most with?

World Views

It's always interesting to hear a child's take on the world. Both younger and older children may have strong opinions about their experiences in the world.

Younger children have such a unique and interesting view of their world. Help them get their creative juices flowing with the following prompts.

What's the coolest part about living on Earth?
Who do I think should be in charge?
What's the weirdest part about living in (insert country)?
Where is the furthest away from home you've ever been and what was different about it?
What do I like about the world I live in?
What do I think needs to change in the world?
If I were in charge, what would my first act be?
Should people live on other planets?

Creating Interesting Speeches

Help your kids pick a topic or question that interests them. This ensures that they will enjoy thinking about writing a great speech that they feel passionate about.

TeachingBrave

Parenting – Early Childhood – Money Matters

Public Speaking for Kids – 10 Top Tips

Public speaking is an important skill to learn when you’re a kid! It helps build confidence, improves language development skills, social skills and builds courage and leadership skills. Public speaking for kids has numerous benefits, but what are the best ways to improve speaking skills? Here are Andy’s top tips!

Introduction to Public Speaking for Kids

My son Andy won 2 public speaking competitions at school – one when he was 6 years old in Kindergarten and the second time 2 years later in Year 2. In year 1 and year 3 he was a finalist as well. The speeches he delivered were between 2-3 minutes, in front of an assembly of 500 children and adults. Andy’s content was interesting, he engaged his audience, smiled and spoke with volume in his voice and confidence! He fully deserved the trophies he won for this and it built his confidence SO much!

Of course as a parent, I helped to prepare him for these competitions but when it came time to deliver, it was all him!

Andy has assisted me to put these 10 tips together to help other kids with their public speaking!

1. Preparation and practice

Give yourself plenty of preparation time – don’t leave it until the last minute. Preparation will include deciding on your topic, ensuring your content is interesting for the audience and varied in terms of style of content to be delivered. Starting with a ‘Sizzling start’ is sometimes a great way to capture your audience from the get go. A sizzling start might be a quick statement such as “Quick! Attention, attention everyone! See, you all looked at me didn’t you?!” as a start to a speech about Great Tips for Public Speaking and getting attention, for example. It precedes your actual speech and acts as a quick way to get the attention of your audience in those first few seconds, followed by a few words about what your speech will be about. Your speech may also include quick lists, accompanied by holding up fingers one, two and three. For example, “There are three things to remember when making eye contact with your audience, One, ****, Two and Three” while holding fingers up. You can also use humour in there to try to make your audience laugh! These are just ways to vary what you are delivering so it’s not just a one tone, same style speech the whole way through.

Other ways of preparing include writing your speech in dot points on palm cards and having these ready to go. It’s helpful if you know most of the speech off by heart, having the palm cards there as a backup. Make sure your timing is correct. If the speech needs to be 2 minutes, aim for either just short of or just over 2 mins, but try not to be too short or too long by 15 seconds or more. The closer to the time expectation, the better.

Practice practice practice!! And practice some more! Recording yourself doing the speech is also a really good way to prepare so you can see for yourself where you may need to improve. The more you practice your speech, the more you will improve, meaning when it comes time to deliver it, you’ll feel more confident.

2. Eye contact

Have you ever noticed that when you’re watching someone do a speech, if they’re looking at you or looking around, you can make more of a connection with what they’re saying than if they were looking down at notes or palm cards the whole time. Eye contact is really important. Look around at your audience and scan the room. If you need to look down at your palm cards, that’s perfectly ok but make it just a few seconds in between looking up again. Ideally, most of your time will be spent looking at and around your audience, with minimal glances down at palm cards.

3. Confidence

TRY to look confident, speak confidently and stand with confidence. Remember your posture! If you’re not FEELING confident and you’re feeling like nerves are getting the better of you, just FAKE the confidence. Even faked confidence can fool your audience, and sometimes when you’re faking this confidence, you will fool yourself, leading to less nerves and a better delivery anyway!

4. Expression and personality

Your audience WANTS to connect with you so let your personality shine through in your speech and make sure you use expression in your voice to match your content. If you’re trying to make a point, allow your voice to tell half the story! You can adjust your tone and your inflections if you’re making a statement vs asking a rhetorical question within your speech. Ask yourself if you would be interested if you were the audience to your own speech. A monotone voice for the duration of the speech will engage the audience much less than someone who actually looks excited to share their speech and where the excitement and their personality is being expressed through their use of voice and expression.

5. Voice volume

Whether you’re using a microphone or not, make sure you are not speaking too softly, making it hard for your audience to hear you properly, or too loud, coming across as yelling. It is a good idea to find out prior to your speech whether you will be using a microphone or not, so you can practice getting the volume right. Try to get some feedback from family members when you’re practicing to see what they think of the volume of your voice.

6. Breathe and Pause

It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to breathe! If you are feeling a bit nervous, breathing properly is a great strategy to slow down your heart rate and allow you to pace yourself and seem more relaxed. There’s a tendency when feeling nerves to also speed up the speech but make sure you speak slow enough, speak clearly and pause as needed and as appropriate within the speech. You might need to pause slightly after making a joke, to encourage your audience to have a giggle, or you could pause after making a point, before moving on to your next point. Breathing properly and added pauses are a really important part of your delivery to reduce nerves and to ensure you come across as relaxed and poised.

7. Consider some props

This one is optional but if you do decide upon using some props, ensure that it’s only one or two and it’s appropriate for your speech content. If you think it supports a particular point you’re making, it can be a strong addition to your speech but if it’s not really relevant or you have too many, it can just be distracting, taking away from the strength of your speech. Some examples of props might be a book you are showing the audience which is related to your topic, or a piece of fruit and a vegetable to hold up if you’re doing a speech about healthy eating. Props can also take your audience’s attention away from you for a moment and onto the prop which can be a nice relief to have the focus diverted, even if only for a few moments. This can then help to boost your confidence once again as you draw the attention back to yourself. Remember, if you do decide to use props, use them sparingly.

8. Hand gestures, but don’t fidget

Hand gestures are really important if they’re natural and support what you’re communicating but make sure it’s not coming across as fidgeting! If you’re fidgeting during your speech, this can be very distracting for your audience and indicates nerves or lack of confidence. Fidgeting might include touching your face, swaying your body from side to side, touching your hair, shifting your weight, nervous coughing, scratching or adjusting your clothes. Try to keep your hands either holding palm cards, by your side or use them to your advantage with natural hand gestures that are appropriate as per the content. If you’re listing three things, hold up your fingers one, two, three. If you’re asking asking questions to your audience, your hands might be raised to the ceiling beside you in a question pose. You might use your hands to cover your eyes briefly to make a point, to make circular movements while explaining something, or even pointing towards your audience to make a point and to try to engage them.

9. Embrace nerves, have strategies

One of the biggest things you can do to build your courage is to embrace your nerves and do it anyway! Most people will feel some degree of nerves before doing public speaking and that’s ok! Your nerves will decrease the more prepared you are and if you have some strategies in place as to what you will do if you do get up on stage and feel quite nervous, you will be even better off. So, do yourself a favour and come up with some strategies for while you’re on stage to decrease the nervous feelings. Some suggestions are:

Imagine you are delivering the speech to only one person. Remember when you were practicing and you were only doing the speech to mum or dad or a sibling? Every one of those people in the audience, by themseles, are one person. So, just imagine you are delivering it to them one on one. It shouldn’t really be any different delivering it to a large group.
Breathe! Slowly and effectively, deeply and mindfully. It really does help.
If you make a mistake, just start saying that point again. Don’t make it a big deal.
Stand up straight and fake that confidence!
Imagine yourself winning that public speaking award and feel confident in what you’ve prepared.

You can find further tips on managing public speaking anxiety here.

10. Smile and engage your audience!

This will depend on the content you are delivering and how appropriate a smile would be but a smile really does go a long way! It could be at just the beginning of your speech as you welcome your audience, or it could be at the end as you thank your audience for listening to you, or it could be throughout when making a joke, when looking around your audience or any time you think it’s appropriate. It’s amazing how infectious a smile can be and if your audience is feeling that you want to be there, they will be more inclined to want to listen! Your audience will enjoy a bit of engagement from you as well, whether that is through the smiling or it might be that you’re asking them to raise their hand in answer to a question or to nod in agreeance with something you’ve said. As a speaker, you want your audience to be engaged and as interested as possible, so be generous with your smiles and let your personality shine through!

Summary – Public Speaking for Kids

Andy and I hope these tips help you! Just remember the main points; prepare and practice, let your personality come through in your speech with smiles, use of voice expression and hand gestures, and have some strategies in place to combat nerves if they do creep up on you..

You can find more public speaking tips in these articles online here and here.

The Dept of Education Arts Unit also has a wealth of information on public speaking and developing those important skills. You can find them here.

Once your child has had a go at public speaking and overcome fear or nerves, they will build their courage and confidence, essentially filling their bucket and developing belief in themselves as well as resilience, allowing them to take more risks and continue trying new things.

Have you tried public speaking? How did you or your child go? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear about it!

Public Speaking for Kids: 27 Practical Tips

Filed under: Featured articles , Presentation anxiety , Public speaking tips and tricks

Here’s the thing about public speaking: it’s one of the few things in life where you can be 13 years old or you can be 5 years old, and you can actually be better than your parents or lots of other adults. This is not true with driving and other dangerous skills that are only available to adults. But public speaking is different.

Here’s why.

We’ve all seen really boring public speakers in different settings, whether they are folks speaking in your community about various issues or two parents in front of the class.

As a matter of fact, these days we’re so used to listening to bad speeches that we pray to God that the next one is even a little bit better. We couldn’t ask for more and hope that, “This one will be better than the others we’ve heard so far.”

Table of Contents

Public speaking for kids: the most important things to remember

Guess what? It doesn’t matter if you’re 5 years old or 55 years old: if you’re boring, you’re not communicating.

So, what are the best tips on public speaking for kids? You need to go into every single presentation with a specific goal in mind. Also, you’ve got to focus on the most important ideas that should be remembered.

Therefore, let’s dive in and see what are the other best tips on public speaking for kids.

Why is public speaking important for children?

If you can stand up and speak well in front of an audience, that is a great skill, and you can learn that at any age. Not only is public speaking a great skill you can use right now to help you get through school, but it can also help you with every other school project or even to ask your parents for an increase in your allowance .

The ability to speak in a way that people will listen to you and have a sense that you’re comfortable and relaxed is a good thing.

Therefore, learning how to speak in front of a large group will help you:

Improve your message delivery skills and other communication skills
Increase your self-awareness and self-esteem

Additional reading:

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and the stage fear
Public speaking FAQs: Answers To the Top 22 Most Common Questions

#1 Set up your goals for the presentation

The first thing you’ve got to do before any presentation you give (whether it’s asking for allowance or giving a book report) is you’ve got to really figure out your goals. For example:

If for an allowance, you want that additional amount of money every single week.
If it’s a book report, your goals may be more general.

Some goals may be:

You want people to know a lot of interesting things about this book
You want the teacher to be impressed
You want a good grade

Whatever it is, you need to go into every single presentation with a specific goal in mind.

So, think about your specific goals and write them down.

Recommended books

How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World's Most Inspiring Presentations

Jeremy Donovan

Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences

Nancy Duarte

Confessions of a Public Speaker

Scott Berkun

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds

Carmine Gallo

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

Atul Gawande

The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast!

Josh Kaufman

Audience analysis: A comprehensive guide for the public speaker
How to write a speech: 20 good and effective tips

#2 Make Sure Your Most Important Ideas Are Remembered

Once you have decided exactly what your topic and goals are, you need to really focus on what you think is going to motivate your audience to follow up on the goals to do what it is you want them to do.

Now, if it’s in the classroom, you may simply want the other students and the teacher to know that you know all the basic, fundamental, important things about your topic.

If you are asking your parents to go on a particular type of vacation (to Disneyland, for example) then you’ve got to ask yourself what are the specific reasons that are most likely to motivate your parents to take you to Disneyland.

So, you’ve got to focus on the most important ideas that should be remembered.

#3 You can’t just point out every single fact or every single piece of data.

There is no point in saying that Disneyland is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year. That’s a fact about Disneyland and it’s unlikely to motivate your parents to do what you want them to do.

Also, if you’re giving a book report about some famous person, you can’t look at all the facts of a person’s life because…who cares?

Why should anyone really care about that unless you explained it in the proper context? So, the biggest problem for most people is they just throw out so much stuff that, frankly, isn’t interesting.

Therefore, ask yourself:

Is what I’m saying truly going to be interesting to the people in the room to whom I’m speaking?
Is it really going to be interesting and important to them?
Is it just going to seem really boring, and they’re going to think, “Oh, let me just ignore what this kid is saying and let me check my e-mail.”

So, much of being a good public speaker doesn’t have anything to do with how tall you are or whether your speaking voice is deep. Complete nonsense.

11 tips how to write a great persuasive speech
How to deliver a perfect elevator pitch?

#4 Decide what is interesting and what isn’t

So much of being a good public speaker is about simply using judgment about what is interesting and what isn’t. And that’s the main reason you need to come up with a handful of messages that are going to make the case.

Focus on what’s really most important about the topic you are speaking about and, for a starter, come up with the top five ideas. Usually, there is no point in talking about more than five main points, and therefore this should do the trick for you.

#5 Show them what you care about

Anytime you’re presenting and you’re coming up with your messages, you’ve always have to ask:

What is it I really care about?
Why do I care about this?

Globally, audiences like when they’re seeing somebody speak who seems like they care about the topic and who seems passionate about the subject.

#6 Find out why this particular topic is more interesting than other stuff

Now, I understand you can’t be passionate and excited about everything your teacher gives out and there are lots of assignments that are just not the most exciting ones in the world.

Nevertheless, you’ve still got to find why this particular topic is more interesting than other stuff.

#7 You’ve got to talk about it with a little passion

If you want people to pay attention to you – if you want to get a good grade, and if you want to seem like you understand a subject – you’ve got to talk about it with a little passion. You’ve got to seem like you care.

Because here’s the thing: if you don’t care, no one else will, either , and everyone else will just be daydreaming and doodling.

If you want to give a great presentation, and if you want to build your skillset, you’re going to have a long lifetime of giving presentations. Why not learn how to get a little bit better every single time and learn how to make each one a little easier?

Therefore, always look at the messages that you’re coming up with and really figure out which ones you care about the most. You’re going to be a lot more interesting to listen to and that is half the battle.

#8 Make your points unforgettable

Here’s a magic phrase for any time you’re speaking, whether you’re giving a book report or a presentation of any sort: “For example….”

That’s it.

#9 Use the magic phrase “For example”

Human beings are trying to learn. They’re trying to listen to you and figure out what it is you’re talking about.

So, anytime you can give an example, you are better off. I’ve never heard anyone in the world say, “I hated the way that the last presenter gave so many interesting, relevant examples.”

And yet I often hear people say, “This speaker was really boring. That was a data dump. I didn’t learn anything. It was sort of vague and fuzzy.”

Therefore, any time you want to make a point, give a specific example.

For example, when I am telling people it’s important not to look nervous and uncomfortable, I don’t just then go on to the next point. Instead, I say, “ For example , if you’re looking down the whole time, and you look like you’re guilty, then people are going to assume that you’re nervous and uncomfortable. They’re going to maybe feel sympathy for you but they’re not going to focus on you. ”

So, think of examples for every one of the messages that you’ve written down and come up with examples for each one of your five main points.

#10 Use a cheat sheet and notes

In school, I would never ever suggest you cheat, because it’s not the right thing to do. Plus, if you get caught the penalties are severe.

But when you are giving a presentation, I do recommend that you have a cheat sheet. By that, I mean just a single sheet of paper.

Here are some tips for the cheat sheet:

It has notes
Notes are written in big bold letters
Notes are not written with whole sentences
Notes are not written down with whole paragraphs
Write down any important number, any fact and any date that’s really important that you’re afraid you might forget

#11 Never read when you’re giving a presentation

Human beings can’t stand it when someone reads monotonously from the paper. It’s because when you read to them:

Your voice goes flat/monotone
There’s no eye contact
Facial expressions are flat
You are ignoring the audience

So, I recommend to never read when you’re giving a presentation.

Useful reading:

How to Outline a Presentation: A Complete Guide From a Pro
How to Use Notes in a Speech: 14 valuable tips for a speaker

#12 Get your audience to understand you and to do what you want

Now, of course, there are exceptions. If you are quoting Ronald Reagan, or any other famous person, and you want to get it just right, then it’s fine to glance down and read.

If your teacher requires you to read, by all means, do so. But when it’s up to you, I want you to not read. It’s all about the audience and getting them to understand you and to do what you want.

For example, if you’re asking your parents for an increase in allowance…

Are your parents hearing this?
Are your parents understanding it?
Are they persuaded?
Are they going to do what you want?

#13 Put a spotlight on an idea

It’s never just about the words. The beauty of public speaking is that it puts a spotlight on an idea and it shows people you think that this is important. That’s why it’s really critical to focus on your audience and to get them to understand that you care about them understanding your ideas.

And that’s why reading is never a good idea. Instead, have notes and have a cheat sheet that is limited to a single sheet of paper.

But beyond that, you need to be looking at your audience when you’re speaking. If you do that, you’ll come across as much more comfortable, more believable and they’re much more likely to do whatever it is you want them to do. Or at least they understand the ideas you’re talking about.

#14 Practice your speech

Public speaking for kids and preparation for your speech is like any other adult presentation. Therefore, it’s time to practice your speech.

But: I need you to do it in a very specific way. I’m talking about video recording yourself.

#15 Rehearse in front of a video camera

So, when you practice your talk, don’t just state it out loud in front of a parent, or a friend or a classmate. Also, practice in front of a mirror. That really doesn’t do much good.

What you need to do is practice your speech on video. These days, it is easy to find a cell phone video or a webcam. If you’re looking for good cameras, or even for teleprompters for public speaking, then take a look at these cameras or teleprompters, here .

Remember: practicing in front of a video camera is the most important part of this whole process.

If you practice on the video to the point where you like what you see, you’re going to feel so much more confident.

It doesn’t matter if your speech is 2 minutes long or 20 minutes long: every time, practice your speech as if you were doing it for real . All you need to do is to be able to see and hear you once you’ve recorded yourself on video.

Prepared speech: 10 effective tips on how to practice a speech
How to be comfortable in front of a video camera? 14 great tips

#16 Write down everything you liked and disliked about your presentation

Next thing you need to do is to watch the video, and I need you to grade yourself and be a fair critic. Don’t just look at the negatives – look at the positives, too.

I want you to write down everything. Things like:

How you came across?
How you smile?
How you looked comfortable?
Whether you seemed interesting?
Whether you were easy to understand?
Whether your rate of speaking was good and not rushed?
If you’re speaking so softly that it’s hard to understand
If you’re fidgeting with your fingers the whole time and looked nervous.
Did your tone of voice go up at the end of every sentence, making it sound like you were questioning/doubting yourself?
Did you look scared?

Sometimes, it’s hard to judge ourselves, so you may want to ask a parent, classmate or someone else to do this with you, too.

It’s good to get independent feedback, but we’re not looking only for criticism, and we’re not looking only for praise. We really want to get an accurate sense of what’s working and what isn’t.

#17 Rehearse again

I hope that after finishing the first rehearsal, you have a decent-sized list of things you like and don’t like.

Now, if you have that list, you’re going to do this all again, but this time, I want you to do more of the things you liked when you presented . And I want you to look at the list of the things you don’t like and I want you to focus on just one of those things .

For example, maybe it was speaking too quickly. This time, focus on that and try to slow down. You should not try to fix 10 problems if there are 10 things you don’t like.

That’s not how you learned any other skill – you didn’t go to math class one day and instantly learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Instead, you learned one step at a time. Therefore, I want you to do the same thing with public speaking.

Focus on just one thing
Video record yourself one more time
Analyze it again
Make a detailed list of what you like (ideally, that list grows)
Make a detailed list of what you don’t like (ideally, that list shrinks)

#18 Rehearse until you are satisfied

After your second rehearsal, chances are you made some mistakes, and maybe it’s not 100 percent but you made some improvement. Now, if you didn’t see improvement, typically that means one of two things.

You tried to fix 5 or 10 things, and you didn’t focus on just 1 thing, therefore your mind scatters.
You tried to focus on something that you just can’t change.

For example, if you’re 12 years old, and you want to sound like you have a deep, old man’s voice, you can’t really do that without sounding ridiculous.

You don’t need to do that. There’s nothing wrong with your voice right now. As long as people can understand you, and you don’t sound scared, chances are your voice is perfectly fine.

You have to sound like you, as long as it’s you sounding interested and relaxed and not scared, tense and nervous.

So, the next thing you need to do is to look again at the list of things you like and how you’re presenting and at the list of things you don’t like. And…I need you to practice again on video.

Review it again and figure out what you like what you don’t like. Now, here’s the key. And this is really the most important part of the preparation.

#19 Look at it and keep doing it until you like what you see.

Maybe that only takes 1 more time. Maybe it takes 10 times or 20 times, but if you really want to be well prepared for this presentation, you need to rehearse for as long as it takes.

If you want a great role model for your presentation, it needs to be you and that’s why you need to practice on video.

If you can give your presentation, record it on video and look at it and say, “Wow! That’s great!” then it is going to be much easier to go in front of people and talk well.

You just have to put enough time into it, and this will get easier as you get older and you do this regularly. As you gain more experience, you’ll get to the point where, typically, you really only need to practice once on video.

Most adults never do this because they’re too lazy. Now is your time to build new, strong habits that are going to last you a lifetime. So, keep practicing on video again and again until you like it. Once you’ve done this, you’re going to be ready to give the best possible presentation you can on this topic.

How do children overcome the fear of public speaking?

The way to eliminate the fear of public speaking is to come up with a process – something you can do every single time so that you’re not leaving anything up to chance, and you’re not wondering what to do.

Here are some proven techniques for overcoming stage fright.

#19 Breathing

Belly breathing is the best form of breathing, and it helps calm the nerves. Therefore, try to do several (4-5 times) very deep breaths with your belly to calm your nerves.

Here are some other good breathing techniques.

Sama Vritti technique

Begin with a slow, steady inhale through your nose while silently counting to four.
Pause briefly, then exhale through your nose for another count of four.
Repeat until your heart rate slows and you feel calmer.

Abdominal breathing technique

Place one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen.
Breathe in deeply through the nose, making sure your abdomen inflates, not your chest.
Exhale slowly.
Repeat six to ten times every minute for approximately ten minutes.
What is Stage Fright: Everything You Need to Know About it
Stage fright: A Helpful Illustrated Guide

#20 Accept the fact that you’re going to be nervous

One of the things that makes people nervous standing up in front of the classroom or talking to family members and friends is this idea of, “Oh-oh, I don’t really know how I’m coming across. Maybe I look nervous; maybe I look scared; maybe I look uncomfortable.”

Guess what? You might actually look nervous, uncomfortable or scared, but if you don’t know how you’re coming across, then you just don’t know. So, chances are you might actually look awkward or uncomfortable.

Therefore, this is one of the most important points I need to make. Even seasoned performers and successful entrepreneurs get nervous before going in front of people.

#21 Acknowledge that the audience wouldn’t understand you’re nervous

Also, there’s no point worrying about whether your listeners notice your nervousness, trembling, etc. – they normally won’t. Even if they are aware that you’re slightly nervous, nobody takes it seriously.

You don’t need to excuse yourself for being nervous at the beginning of your presentation. Equally important, don’t start your speech by apologizing for being nervous.

#22 Proper preparation with proper practice

Preparing at home, ask yourself, “ What do I want my listeners to think or do differently after I’ve finished my presentation?”

During preparation, think about who your listeners are and what their interests, needs, and expectations are. If you’re able to do a presentation that listeners can relate to, you’ve done great, offering something valuable to your audience.

#23 Remember that the audience is your greatest ally

Keep in mind that your listeners don’t mean you harm – they’ve come to learn something interesting. A common presumption is that the audience wants you to fail. The reality, however, is the opposite: the audience is your greatest ally because if your presentation fails, so will they.

#24 Remember that no presentation is perfect!

Well, at least not for the speaker. During my public speaking training, I often see how being asked by the presenter how it went right after the presentation, people answer “very poorly.“

As a presenter, you notice all the blips; you remember what you forgot to say, etc. If I ask the audience the same question, they usually say the opposite; e.g. What are you talking about? It went very well!

So, don’t focus on giving a perfect presentation. You’re already better than you think!

17 Biggest Public Speaking Myths Debunked
Is public speaking really more feared than death?

How can a child improve his/her public speaking skills?

In this section, I’ll briefly outline the main things to keep in mind when it comes to preparation and making a presentation. Here are some things I would like to point out.

#25 Know your audience and their background

Who are they? What do they want? What are their expectations? In other words, you need a detailed audience analysis. Some things to consider:

Are there any experts among the audience?
Do the listeners know the topic well?
What is the attitude of the audience?

#26 Try to think through the entire presentation

Think about things like:

What you can do to draw attention
Arriving early and adjusting everything according to your needs
What is your plan B if something goes wrong (for example you’re out of time)
How to use a video projector or other gadgets if you need one

#27 Feedback

Feedback is the best thing to make you a better speaker. Also, this is something that helps you further improve your speech , even if you’re already quite happy with it. So, in order to become a better public speaker, you should always ask the audience (or friends who participated) for as much feedback as possible.

This way you can avoid mistakes you made this time, and your next listeners will become part of an even better experience.

Final thoughts on public speaking for kids

Remember that most people aren’t very good at public speaking.

If you’ve actually followed the tips we’ve talked about in this post, you’re going to be way ahead of most of your friends, your peers, and your colleagues. It’s because you’re going to know the secret of how to come across confident, comfortable and relaxed.

Therefore, you’re not going to be nervous when you’re giving presentations, and you’re going to know that you’re doing your very best. But more importantly, if you actually follow this on a regular basis, this is a skill that’s going to help you throughout your whole life, because you’re going to be giving a lot of presentations.

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Tags: Introduction to a Speech , Making a speech , Performance anxiety symptoms , Public speaking topics , Speaking anxiety , Speech anxiety , Speech preparation process , Speech writing tips , Stage phobia , Writing a speech

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I have been teaching public speaking at Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences

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Hi! My name is Janek Tuttar, and I am the founder and author of SpeakAndConquer.com.

I have been teaching and blogging about public speaking since spring 2007. Here, I am sharing the wisdom of how to cope in different public speaking situations.

Send me an e-mail: [email protected]

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Public Speaking Tips For Kids

The speeches are written and practiced at home. This year I created a template for the kids to help make a start on their speech. The template not only helps them plan out the content for their speech, but gives them tips on how to define the purpose, research and practise their speech.

I used this template with all three kids – prep, year three and year five. The level of guidance needed by each child varied and I naturally I spent the most time with the six year old as this is the first time he has had to write and present a speech.

Not every element of the template will necessarily need to be completed and depends on the topic. For example the prep child chose “Kids have fun when….” from the list of topics for his class. This topic requires no research to be done as he is an expert in knowing how kids have fun!

The kids may also need more room than for the “middle” section, depending on how long their speech is to be. We simply turned over the page and wrote on the back.

Public Speaking Tips For Kids – A Checklist

I have listed below the elements the template covers:

Topic and Time: Choose something that you are interested in.
How long do you have to talk for?
Audience: Who will you be talking to and who will be judging.
Subject and purpose: What is the aim of your speech – to persuade, inform, entertain, etc. Brainstorm ideas note them down. Note personal stories you can add to make it more interesting.
Research: Not just internet, newspapers, magazines, library, family friends etc.
Structure: Ask yourself the question – ‘At the end of the speech I would like my audience to…….
Beginning: Brief, capture the attention of the audience and establish the subject and purpose of the speech. Don’t just restate the topic. Add your personality and make it unique, many others may be talking on the same topic.
Middle: Sets out your ideas, shares your research, includes examples to support your topic. For your time limit work out how many points / paragraphs you can include. Work on having a powerful statement to lead into each new point / paragraph.
End: Short statement relating back to the topic and sums up the subject and purpose of the speech. Make it brief, but memorable. Try including a memorable line that the audience can take away with them. Memorise your conclusion, so your last couple of sentences can be delivered with confidence and with full eye contact with the audience.
Practice: By yourself first. Time it and edit your content so it first with the time restraints.
Palm Cards: Then make palm cards for key points only. Keep cards to a minimum and number them.
Dress rehearsal: Practice using palm cards, first by yourself, then either in front of family or even video your self.

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19 Unique Public Speaking Activities for Kids

Hrideep barot.

Public Speaking

A visual representation of a kid doing public speaking

Public speaking in general is a challenging task. It takes a long time and a tremendous amount of practice for one to be finally able to master the art of public speaking. Developing such an essential skill takes time. Giving your kid a head start so they grow up to be much more confident in public speaking is always a good thing. So, here is a list of 19 unique public speaking activities for kids that you can try with your child from time to time or daily to give them a kick start into the world of public speaking.

Benefits of teaching public speaking to kids

Public speaking activities for kids, challenges and how to overcome them, improved communication skills, boosted confidence, enhanced critical thinking, greater self-awareness, empathy and understanding, improved academic performance, leadership development, overcoming fear and nervousness, professional growth, better social skills, acquiring presentation skills, improving body language, fostering creativity, developing resilience, building a sense of achievement, preparation for real-world situations.

Before we get into the details of the public speaking activities for kids, let’s look into the benefits of teaching your kids the basics of public speaking from a young age. It offers a wide range of benefits that extend far beyond just the ability to deliver a speech.

Public speaking teaches kids how to articulate their thoughts clearly and effectively, which enhances their overall communication abilities. It also encourages them to think independently and develop analytical thinking skills.

Through practice and positive reinforcement, kids gain confidence in their ability to speak in front of others. This confidence often extends to other areas of their lives. Public speaking allows children to share their opinions leading to increased self-assurance. With more exposure, their comfort level will improve, leading to a continuous cycle of progress and growth.

Planning and delivering a speech requires kids to organize their thoughts, analyze information, and structure their arguments, which fosters critical thinking skills.

Public speaking encourages kids to reflect on their beliefs, values, and experiences, leading to increased self-awareness and self-expression.

Through the process of presenting and listening to others, kids develop empathy by understanding different perspectives and learning to relate to their audience.

Strong communication skills are valuable in all academic subjects. Kids who excel in public speaking often perform better in writing, reading, and other verbal tasks.

Public speaking instills leadership qualities like confidence, decision-making, and the ability to influence and inspire others.

Learning to manage stage fright and nervousness is an important life skill that can help kids face challenges with courage.

Effective public speaking is a valuable skill in many careers. It can open doors to opportunities for leadership roles and advancement in various fields. Effective communication is increasingly essential in the working world, and public speaking is a vital skill to have. By learning public speaking at a young age, children can develop the skills necessary for future job opportunities.

Public speaking encourages kids to interact with peers and adults, leading to improved social skills, including listening, empathizing, and responding appropriately.

Kids learn how to use visual aids, body language, and tone of voice effectively, which are important components of delivering a compelling presentation.

Public speaking can have significant benefits on body language. When speaking effectively in front of an audience, children become more aware of their body language and how they can use it to communicate more effectively

Crafting engaging speeches encourages kids to think creatively, use their imagination, and find innovative ways to present information.

Public speaking may come with challenges, such as forgetting a line or facing a tough audience. Overcoming these hurdles builds resilience and determination.

Successfully delivering a speech provides a sense of accomplishment and pride, boosting a child’s self-esteem and motivation to tackle new challenges.

Whether in school, extracurricular activities, or future career endeavours, the ability to communicate effectively in public is an invaluable skill.

Overall, teaching public speaking to kids equips them with skills and confidence that can positively impact their personal, academic, and professional lives. It empowers them to express themselves, connect with others, and navigate a variety of social and professional situations. Read more at “ 10 Benefits Of Public Speaking For Kids (How To Teach Them) “

For Middle School Children:

Show and Tell with a Twist
Impromptu Storytelling
Tongue Twisters
Role-Playing Scenarios
Observe the Journey
Showcase a Talent or Hobby
Picture Prompt Presentation
Mystery Box Presentation

For High School Kids:

The Cooperation Game
Conversation Dice
Mini Debates
Alternative Endings
Creative Poetry Slam
News Reporter Exercise
Interview a Fictional Character
TED-Style Talks
Time Capsule Presentation
Inventor’s Pitch

Public speaking activities for kids can help them develop their communication skills and overcome their fear of speaking in front of others. Here are some fun and engaging public speaking activities kids in middle school :

1. Show and Tell with a Twist

Instead of just showing an object or a funny image, ask the child to present a story or information about it. Encourage them to use descriptive language, engage the audience, and encourages them to think creatively.

2. Impromptu Storytelling

Provide a prompt or a few random objects and ask the child to create a short story on the spot. This helps them think on their feet and improve improvisational skills.

3. Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters are diction exercises that help children learn to speak more clearly and slowly.

4. Simon Says

This classic game helps with both listening and speaking. The kids completing the actions have to listen, but you can also have a child be Simon, allowing them to practice leadership skills.

5. Role-Playing Scenarios

Have the child take on different roles and present as if they were that character. This can be a fun way to practice different styles of speaking.

6. Observe the Journey

While driving, walking, or on public transport, ask your child to describe as much of their surroundings as they can within one minute. This activity helps children develop their observation and descriptive skills.

7. Showcase a Talent or Hobby

Invite kids to present something they’re passionate about, like a musical instrument, a dance, or a craft they’ve made.

8. Picture Prompt Presentation

Show the child an image and ask them to speak about what they see, or create a story around it. This activity helps them practice observational skills and storytelling.

9. Mystery Box Presentation

Place an object in a box and have the child guess what it is without looking. Then, they can give a short presentation about the object. The element of surprise makes it all the most interesting for the kids.

Going ahead let’s look into the public speaking activities for kids in high school :

10. The Cooperation Game

Have three volunteers tell a story. The catch is each person can only say one phrase of the story, and the story must end with a predetermined ending. With this children will learn to be accommodative and develop team spirit and narrative skills.

11. Conversation Dice

For this activity, you need dice with topics of discussion written on the sides. Put students into small groups. Students will roll the dice and then discuss the topic that appears on the dice.

12. Mini Debates

Organize a small debate where kids can express their opinions on a given topic. This encourages critical thinking and persuasive speaking skills. But ensure the topics given are child-friendly and appropriate.

13. Alternative Endings

Have your child tell a story, and then ask them to come up with an alternative ending. This activity helps children develop their creative thinking skills.

14. Creative Poetry Slam

Encourage kids to write and perform their own poems. This activity not only fosters creativity but also helps them practice rhythm and intonation.

15. News Reporter Exercise

Pretend to be a news anchor and have the child report on a made-up event or a real news story. This helps with articulation and clarity.

16. Interview a Fictional Character

Have the child imagine they are interviewing a character from a book, movie, or history. This encourages creative thinking and empathy.

17. TED-Style Talks

Have kids watch age-appropriate TED Talks and then encourage them to give their own short talks on a topic of their choice.

18. Time Capsule Presentation

Ask kids to imagine they’re from the future and they’re presenting about life in the present day. What would they include in their time capsule?

19. Inventor’s Pitch

Have kids come up with an imaginary invention and present it as if they were pitching it to potential investors.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many other unique public speaking activities that you can come up with. The most important thing is to find something that your child is interested in and that will help them develop their public speaking skills.

Here are some additional tips for making public speaking activities more unique and engaging for kids:

Use props and costumes. Props and costumes can help kids to be more creative and expressive in their public speaking.
Have them work in groups. Working in groups can help kids to learn from each other and to support each other.
Give them a specific challenge. For example, you could challenge them to give a speech without using any filler words, or to give a speech in a different language.
Make it fun! Public speaking should be an enjoyable experience for kids. Try to find ways to make the activities fun and engaging for them.

Here is a list of other resources for you to learn more from:

5 Ways to Teach Public Speaking to Kids

24 Public Speaking Games for Kids

7 Public Speaking Exercises for Kids

Importance of Public Speaking Skill for Kids

7 Tips To Improve Public Speaking Skills in Children

9 Effective Ways How To Teach Public Speaking To Kids

Fear of public speaking

Lack of interest, lack of practice, poor organization and planning, stress and anxiety.

Teaching public speaking to kids can be challenging, but there are ways to overcome these challenges. Here are some common challenges and how to overcome them:

Many children are afraid of speaking in front of others. To overcome this, parents can encourage their child to develop positive self-talk patterns and challenge negative thoughts with more empowering ones. Gradually introducing more formal speaking situations, such as school presentations or community events, can also help children develop a sense of familiarity and confidence in expressing themselves.

Some children may not be interested in public speaking. To overcome this, parents can try to incorporate public speaking into normal activities, such as storytelling or conversation dice. Letting children pick a topic they like and practice with their friends can also make public speaking more engaging.

Public speaking requires practice to improve. To overcome this, parents can encourage their child to practice speaking in front of a mirror or with a friend. Public speaking coaching classes can also help children develop their skills and receive feedback from professionals.

Poor organization and planning can lead to a lack of confidence and clarity when speaking. To overcome this, parents can encourage their child to plan and organize their thoughts before speaking. They can also teach their child to use visual aids, such as PowerPoint presentations, to help organize their ideas.

Stress and anxiety can make public speaking more challenging. To overcome this, parents can teach their child relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization. They can also encourage their child to practice speaking in a comfortable and familiar environment before moving on to more formal speaking situations.

By addressing these challenges and providing children with the necessary support and resources, parents can help their children develop strong public speaking skills and overcome their fear of speaking in front of others. Remember, every child is unique, so it’s important to be flexible and adjust your approach based on their individual needs and interests. Patience, encouragement, and a positive learning environment are key to helping kids overcome these challenges and develop their public speaking skills.

Engaging and unique public speaking activities can make the learning process enjoyable for kids. Remember to provide constructive feedback after each activity and create a supportive environment where kids feel comfortable expressing themselves. These activities can be adjusted based on the age and interests of the children involved. You can always get in touch with our professionals to help you help your kid get better at public speaking. Check out our services !

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How to help your child write a speech (without doing it for them)

Associate Professor in Education, Deakin University

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It’s hard for parents to help kids with homework without doing it for them . It can be especially difficult to work out where to start when your child is preparing a speech for school.

You might find your child is procrastinating more about getting started with a speech than about other homework. This could be because they are anxious about it.

Having something that they want to say to their class can help to increase your child’s confidence and motivation when they deliver the speech. A positive speechmaking experience can increase confidence for next time, which is why some schools teach public speaking in a systematic way.

It’s important to keep in mind that public speaking has two parts to it: writing the speech, and delivering it.

Here are some tips for how to help your kid with both aspects of preparation.

Read more: What's the point of homework?

Writing the speech

First, help your child find something they want to say to their audience.

When a child is delivering a speech to the class, they are being listened to, observed, and watched by their peers. Most other classwork is only read by the teacher. In a speech, they are sharing their ideas with the whole class.

That’s why it is really important they own what they are saying, and say it in their own words.

It’s key they own the topic (if it is a free choice of topic) or that they own the stance they are taking (if the topic is set by the teacher).

As a parent, it’s tricky to support your child to find their own words to say – but it’s very important you don’t write the speech for them.

Help them to think about what they care about and what they think is important to share with their class.

Apart from the fact the teacher will spot a parent-written speech a mile away, if your child has no ownership of their speech, they will not care about communicating the ideas to the class.

Next, help your child to think about organising their ideas.

It’s good to have a hook or a catchy introduction into the main idea of the speech. That could be a rhetorical question, an anecdote or an amazing fact. They can then think of around three main points about the topic.

Ask your child questions that help them to think about some examples or evidence that support their ideas.

Finally, help them to finish their speech. Often, the ending might return to the beginning to round off the point being made – a kind of “I told you so”!

Delivering the speech – 4 tips for parents

1. Encourage your child to focus on communicating their idea to their audience.

If they focus on sharing their ideas, rather than worrying about themselves, everything will come together. Encourage them to think about looking at the audience and making sure everyone can hear them.

2. Practise the speed of delivery and time their speech.

One of the easiest things to practise that makes a big difference to the delivery of the speech is the pacing.

The big tip is to slow down. When speakers feel nervous they tend to speed up, sometimes just a little — but often students will deliver their speeches at breakneck speed, racing to just get it done so they can go and sit down.

I’ve listened to thousands of student speeches and have never heard one delivered too slowly. But I have heard many that sound like a horse-race call.

3. Be an affirmative audience to their speech.

Listen to your child practise when they feel ready to share with you, but don’t push them if they are resistant.

Focus on building their confidence by talking to them about the moments you felt they were connecting with you as an audience member. Be appreciative of their jokes or show you share their feelings about ideas they care about.

Your children seek your approval – don’t be stingy with it.

4. If they are feeling confident, suggest they work on nuancing their delivery.

Once they are feeling confident about delivering the speech, the child can add variety and texture.

For instance, they might slow down for emphasis on certain words, add a pause after asking a question, or think about some moments where they might speak more softly or loudly.

Variation will add interest to the delivery of the speech and help to grab and keep the audience’s attention. It also helps further convey your child’s ideas.

Good support takes time

It’s hard to get the balance right when supporting your child to prepare their speech. The trick is to understand that it will take more than one sitting.

So, plan for a few chunks of time, and work on building their ideas and enthusiasm.

Read more: Should parents help their kids with homework?

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PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Tributes are pouring in Sunday for a 21-year-old woman from the southwest suburbs who was fatally shot Friday night inside her college apartment in Wisconsin .

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The victim, Kara Welsh, was a decorated gymnast from Plainfield who was attending the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

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The shooting happened around 11:54 p.m. Friday at an off-campus apartment in the 100 block of West Whitewater Street in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the Whitewater Police Department said.

Welsh was allegedly shot multiple times by a man who police believe she knew, but it is not clear what the relationship between them was. There was an physical altercation between the two inside the apartment before the shooting. Officers discovered Welsh dead at the scene.

The homicide suspect is a 23-year-old man. He has was taken into custody when he was found at the apartment after the shooting, Whitewater police said Saturday.

My whole childhood, every memory I have was pretty much with her... She was the funniest person I knew. Sarah Torello, childhood friend of Kara Welsh

The suspect, who has not yet been named by authorities, is facing multiple charges as he is being held in a Walworth County jail. The charges include first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.

The university's athletic director, Ryan Callahan, said they informed the team of her tragic death Saturday night.

"Right away, you just knew there were so many people impacted by Kara's personality, her leadership and just being a great teammate," Callahan said.

It's a loss that has hit close to home for many loved ones in the Plainfield area.

One of Welsh's former coaches in Joliet, Nick Becker, who coached her for nine years said her loved ones are struggling to understand the tragedy.

"You tell your kids you make good choices and do the right things... things will work out... then you see something like this," Becker said. "She was making the right choices and doing the right stuff... it's just hard to wrap my head around."

A childhood friend who grew up with Welsh in Plainfield, Sarah Torello, spoke to ABC7 on Sunday. Torello remembers, among other things, playing on the trampoline together as kids.

Their parents clearly did the right things. She was respectful. She was a hard worker. Nick Becker, coached Kara Welsh for nine years

"My whole childhood, every memory I have was pretty much with her," Torello said. "We went to school together. We played in my yard together. We ran around as kids together. Every picture I have with her was just something hilarious. She was the funniest person I knew... She was amazing at [ gymnastics ] ."

Welsh was heading into her senior year at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, where she was majoring in management while also leading the gymnastics team to success.

"She was always in a good mood... always ready to work and work hard," Becker said. "Their parents clearly did the right things. She was respectful. She was a hard worker. She was a good kid."

Kara Welsh, a UW-Whitewater college gymnast was fatally shot Friday inside an apartment in Wisconsin, police said.

UW-Whitewater school chancellor Corey King released a statement Saturday on Welsh's death.

"It is with great sadness that we announce a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student has passed away. Kara Welsh, age 21, from Plainfield, Illinois, died in a shooting off campus on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024," the statement read in part. "Kara was majoring in management in our College of Business and Economics and was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023. We know the news of Kara's death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community. It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve."

The gymnastics team also announced Welsh's death in posts to social media on Saturday . They said grief counselors were on hand for support.

UW-Whitewater is scheduled to start classes on Tuesday. The shooting happened near Whitewater's downtown area, where there are many popular college bars.

There will be a remembrance Monday morning on the street in Plainfield where the young murder victim grew up. Neighbors plan to tie white ribbons on some of the trees near the family's house.

ABC affiliate WISN contributed to this report.

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Day 246: Rejoice in Doing Good (2024)

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