Let the voice be heard
ARCHANA SUBRAMANIAN
The workshop aimed at helping children face the audience with ease.
Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
Be confident ; Win the crowd.
Gone are the days when mere good marks secured one’s future and book knowledge alone
was adequate. In today’s world children need an edge over others. Vijaya Padma Srinivas is a
freelance consultant and author and she conducted a public speaking workshop recently at
Hansel and Gretel.
Here are some guidelines that may help you face an audience..
When to start
Courses in public speaking could be taken by children of four and above but would be most
effective after the age of eight. The reason being that children below eight years may not be
able to apply the techniques and concepts generally taught during such courses/workshops.
The advantages of learning public speaking are many. It improves one’s communication skills
and helps overcome stage fright.
Tips
Choose your material with care; make sure you like what you are talking about.
Collect as much information as you can about your audience — their age, number or any other
relevant information.
Knowing your venue will also help. Visualise yourself giving your speech and being a success.
Body language is important. Hold your head up, move around a little bit to show comfort. Do not
make too many gestures.
Maintain eye contact.
Talk clearly…pronouncing each word with expression.
ARCHANA SUBRAMANIAN
The workshop aimed at helping children face the audience with ease.
Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
Be confident ; Win the crowd.
Gone are the days when mere good marks secured one’s future and book knowledge alone
was adequate. In today’s world children need an edge over others. Vijaya Padma Srinivas is a
freelance consultant and author and she conducted a public speaking workshop recently at
Hansel and Gretel.
Here are some guidelines that may help you face an audience..
When to start
Courses in public speaking could be taken by children of four and above but would be most
effective after the age of eight. The reason being that children below eight years may not be
able to apply the techniques and concepts generally taught during such courses/workshops.
The advantages of learning public speaking are many. It improves one’s communication skills
and helps overcome stage fright.
Tips
Choose your material with care; make sure you like what you are talking about.
Collect as much information as you can about your audience — their age, number or any other
relevant information.
Knowing your venue will also help. Visualise yourself giving your speech and being a success.
Body language is important. Hold your head up, move around a little bit to show comfort. Do not
make too many gestures.
Maintain eye contact.
Talk clearly…pronouncing each word with expression.
