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Teaching Presentation Skills to Kids

Toastmasters' youth leadership program is popular – and it works..

Thirteen-year-old Shelby Kilpatrick and her 10-year-old twin sisters, Lauren and Kaitlyn, were only a "little nervous" the day they spoke for an audience of 14,000 at the 2006 Environmental Science Research Institute’s international conference in San Diego, California.

"Once we started talking, everything was fine," says Shelby. Their speech discussed the trio’s 4-H project in which they used a GPS system to create a trail map for the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. Ask the girls how they remained calm and capably spoke in front of all those people, and they gladly credit Toastmasters.

Thanks to an eight-week Youth Leadership program sponsored by the Denton Toastmasters club in Denton, Texas, the Kilpatrick sisters received extensive training on presentation skills and leadership.

"The classes were really fun," says Shelby, who speaks often during her 4-H work. [4-H is a youth organization sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.] "My sisters and I learned to be calm and to present our information so that people understand it. Now I really like giving speeches. It makes me feel important to get up there and talk about things that people enjoy hearing. I also learn a lot when I put together my speeches."

Shelby’s mom, Susan Kilpatrick, saw a great deal of change in Shelby and her sisters after the Toastmasters training.

"They’re pretty much fearless today," says Susan. "Learning to speak in public built their communication skills and confidence and enabled them to develop charisma and capture attention. They volunteer all the time for tasks that require leadership roles and easily work with groups, organizing other children and communicating what needs to be done."

Creating outgoing, well-organized, motivated children is the goal of Distinguished Toastmaster Ron Clark. The 30-year member is president of the TV Toastmasters club in Dallas, Texas, and began the Youth Leadership training in 2004.

"We’ve seen the training program really take off," says Clark, who is also secretary for the Texas Jumptart Coalition, which seeks to improve the financial literacy of young adults. "My first Youth Leadership class in 2004 consisted of nine students," he says. "Now I get calls all of the time. I’m currently scheduled to do several workshops for home schoolers, high schoolers, middle schoolers and elementary students."

"Before the [Youth] Leadership classes, we never did any kind of speaking, and now we speak all of the time," Kaitlyn says. "It's easy once you know how."

Designed to develop speaking and leadership skills for adolescents and teens, Toastmasters’ eight-week Youth Leadership program is similar to a regular Toastmasters meeting. Classes last about two hours, and the students run the meeting while the coordinator provides training and guidance. The informal course focuses on teaching students communication and leadership skills. They learn to overcome nervousness when speaking in front of groups, to organize and present ideas logically and convincingly, to listen carefully to the ideas of other students, and offer helpful advice.

"Kids absolutely love the training," says Clark, who feels that speech training also teaches children skills critical to a successful life that they often don’t learn in school.

"Children learn hard skills like math and science in school, but speech training teaches them important soft skills such as leadership, creativity, persuasiveness and organization," says Clark, pointing out that mastering these talents in Toastmasters made him successful in his career as an engineer.

Parents and Toastmasters teaching the Youth Leadership program say kids benefit by learning speaking skills at a young age. "The sooner you teach children about public speaking, the better," says Susan Kilpatrick. "If you catch kids before they have that fear of speaking in front of people, they’ll probably miss that hurdle altogether and go on to be great communicators and leaders."

Abe Birnbaum, DTM, a member of the Denton Toastmasters club, has assisted Clark with Youth Leadership training and agrees with the importance of teaching children presentation skills as early as possible. "Kids take to speaking readily because they haven’t learned to be embarrassed yet," says Birnbaum. "This sort of training is one of the best benefits you can give them and it will stay with them for the rest of their lives."

Thanks to the leadership and speech training classes, 10-year-old Lauren Kilpatrick feels she can speak in front of anyone now. "The classes helped me do things that I thought I couldn’t do. Now I’m not afraid to speak, and I can talk about anything at any time. I was a princess in a personality contest recently and they interviewed me, and I just got up there and said something, and it was okay."

Lauren’s twin sister, Kaitlyn, agrees. "Before the leadership classes, we never did any kind of speaking, and now we speak all the time," she says. "It’s easy once you know how."

Their older sister Shelby found Table Topics ® to be especially helpful. "I’m able to think on my feet now, and I can put together a speech really quickly," she says. "I recently did a speech for the Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair on honeybees. I wrote the speech and gave it the same day. I talked about some general information about honeybees, including how they live and the different products that they create like honey and royal jelly. The speech was judged, and I got third place."

Perhaps one of the best aspects of teaching children about speaking is "knowing that we’re equipping the future leaders of our country," says Clark. "These children are our next generation, and this type of training is important for them and our future," he says. And although Clark isn’t running the leadership training programs specifically to increase Toastmasters membership, he notes that many of the students are likely to become members once they are 18.

Tips for Teaching Youth Leadership Of all his accomplishments as a Toastmaster, Ron Clark says he gets much satisfaction teaching speaking skills to youngsters. "Perhaps the best part of showing children how to speak is the look of exhilaration on their faces when they succeed," he says. "They’re so excited when they realize that they did it all by themselves." Here he offers tips for successfully educating young people about presentation skills:

• Do your homework.  "Carefully read the coordinator’s manual and take advantage of the resources offered by Toastmasters," says Clark. "There are districts all over the world that have so much valuable material to share; learn from their experiences."
• Be expressive.  Kids like to see animation and a lively performance. "When I do a speech on gestures, I make a big display," says Clark. "I’ll fool with the keys in my pocket and adjust my glasses and make a lot of noise with change. I also emphasize being purposeful with your gestures; kids love that."
• Encourage children to give as many speeches as they want.  "Initially, many kids are a little shy, but once they start speaking, they often don’t want to stop," says Clark. "Have as many children as possible speak at each session."
• Limit participants.  Clark likes to keep his class size to no more than 25 students so that he can cover all the important topics and give everyone a chance to speak.
• Minimize handouts and topics covered.  Kids can only soak up so much information in each session. Don’t pile a bunch of paperwork on them, which can be overwhelming. Instead focus on one topic, such as gestures, speech openings or giving evaluations.
• Enjoy yourself.  Have fun with the kids and they’ll have fun, too, says Clark. "Relax, get a little silly, and use plenty of humor."

About the Author

Julie bawden davis.

Julie Bawden Davis is a freelance writer based in Southern California and a longtime contributor to the Toastmaster. You can reach her at [email protected].

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8 Tips to Power-Up Your Classroom Presentations

Last month, I attended a Back to School Night for parents, sitting through presentation after presentation by teachers, some with slides that helped make their presentation a delight to listen to, and others . . . well, that's why I'm writing this blog post.

The goal of a classroom presentation is to aid you in effectively conveying information in a way that allows students (or their parents) to remember what you said. Unfortunately, for some, the presentation becomes a crutch, and they begin to rely on the slides to tell their story, rather than to help them tell the story.

I've been creating presentations using software like PowerPoint and KeyNote for 20 years, and I've learned a lot about how to most effectively communicate. Here's what I've found.

1. Use as Many Slides as You Need

It's a common myth that better presentations use fewer slides. This is simply not the case. I once sent an education conference presentation to the organizers so they could preview it in advance of my speaking. They wrote back, concerned that my 45-minute presentation had 116 slides. I looked it over and realized they were right! I revised it and sent a presentation with 135 slides back to them. I finished my talk with 5 minutes to spare -- just enough time to take questions -- and the presentation was a huge success.

The number of slides in your presentation is irrelevant. What matters is how well your slides communicate and how much time you spend talking about each slide. Spending five minutes on five slides will almost always be more engaging to your students than spending five minutes on a single slide, even when the information is exactly the same.

In the movie Amadeus , the Emperor of Austria complains to Mozart that his music has "too many notes." Mozart responds, "There are just as many notes as are required. Neither more nor less." Use as many slides as you need to make your point. No more. No less.

2. Minimize Verbosity

Your slides are there to support what you are saying, not to say it for you. Keep your word count low, and only place one main point on a slide, plus three to five sub-points if absolutely needed. Remember tip #1 above -- don't be afraid to use more slides. They're free! Also, the language in your slides doesn't need to be in complete sentences. Pare the text to as few words as possible, using what's there only to emphasize and reinforce -- not replace -- the words coming out of your mouth.

3. Maximize Visuals

Photos, figures and icons work as visual memory triggers. They help your students remember what it is you're saying. Any time you can add a visual that helps illustrate or reinforce the points you're making in your slides, you should use it. One great way to do this on the cheap is to use public domain or creative commons photos you can find on Flickr or Google .

4. Reduce Noise

Many teachers like to add banners, headers, footers, page numbers and more noise to their slides. Unless the information needs to be on every slide for a vital reason (which is rare), you should remove it. All these redundant elements do is create distractions from the content of your slides. I find this to be especially true of page numbers. Imagine if a movie included a time code at the bottom, constantly reminding you how long you had been watching. All this does is serve to take the viewer out of the moment. Page numbers in slides really don't provide any useful information -- they just remind your students how long they've been watching.

Pursuant to tips #1 and #2, you're not going to win awards by cramming the most content on the fewest slides. Make text and visuals as large as you can. Not only does this make them easier to see and read, but larger images and text make a greater impact to aid memory. There's nothing wrong with filling an entire slide with a photo, and then placing text right on top. You may have to use a transparent background immediately behind the text so that it's clearly readable, but the overall effect is almost always more memorable than just some text beside an image.

6. Highlight What You Are Talking About

While you are presenting, your students may be momentarily distracted taking notes, thinking about what you are saying, glancing out the window, possibly even daydreaming. When they refocus on your slides, though, they need to quickly pick back up where you are, or you risk losing them again.

• Use contrast or call-outs to clearly show the area of the slide you are talking about.
• Reveal bullet points or table rows one at a time so that the last one visible is the one you are talking about.
• Use arrows, circles or other pointers to show what you are referencing in specific parts of an illustration, photo or graph.
• Animate and reveal parts of illustrations and graphs (where possible) to build your story rather than showing everything at once.
• Use bold type or different colors to highlight the keywords in any lengthy text.

7. Transition Changes

Humans suffer from an affliction called change blindness -- we have a hard time seeing changes unless there is a clear transition between the states. This is especially a problem in presentations where slides may look very much alike. Most programs include transitions that can be used between slides or on elements in the slides themselves.

My favorite transition is the cross-dissolve -- where the first slide fades down while the next slide fades up -- but different transitions can help illustrate points in your presentation. Are you talking about combustion or the fire of London? Use a flame transition. Talking about photography or Hollywood movies? Use the flashbulb transition. Even "cheesy" transitions help overcome change blindness and aid student memory at the same time.

8. Repeat Yourself Redundantly

It’s OK to repeat the same slide more than once -- especially when using images -- if you are reminding students of an earlier point. Obviously, this is not a license to be monotonous. However, if you want to tie separate ideas together, emphasize a point or splash in a little comic relief, it's perfectly fine to repeat a slide.

Bonus Tip: Make it Funny!

There's little doubt that emotional responses can aid memory. While it can be difficult to apply this power in a classroom slide presentation, humor is easy enough, and adding a bit of levity to your presentations at the right points can work to give students vital memory hooks.

Remember, the point of presentation slides is not to replace you as the teacher, but to help your students understand and remember what you are teaching. Overwhelming them with too much information can be just as harmful as underwhelming them with too little.

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The Importance of Teaching Presentation Skills to Elementary Students

Public speaking is cited as one of America’s greatest fears. Yet strong public presentation skills are valued as one of the critical and most desirable strengths in any successful student or professional. How do we overcome our innate fears to develop and practice such valuable skills? As with any skill, public presentation and speaking skills must be taught and practiced. The introduction of these skills to our youngest students allows them to meet the challenge associated with speaking publicly from an early age, instilling children with the increased confidence that leads to success.

At school, a core curriculum that emphasizes public presentation skills teaches that creativity makes for memorable presentations; smooth transitions, the right tone, appropriate presentation speed and length, and body language and eye contact all contribute to an effective presentation; and visual enhancements make a good presentation even better. When public presentations are emphasized in school, even the youngest students acquire improved communication skills, increased self-esteem, planning and preparation experience, and the power of persuasion.

Why take the time to teach public presentation in elementary school? Many students never have to speak to large crowds, it’s true. But lessons in presentation cover so many more skills than those required to “speak to the masses.” Lessons include focused communication skills such as eye contact, tone, volume, speed, inflection, gestures, and the recognition and elimination of nervous tendencies. Required practice is the only opportunity to learn and perfect these skills and to build confidence. Confidence when speaking publicly will also increase a child’s self-esteem and increase the awareness of the power of persuasion.

How do we teach public presentation? The Institute of Public Speaking provides us with some tips. First, a school may want to avoid calling it “public speaking.” The phrase itself may instill fear or carry a negative connotation. Instead, give the activity another name. At my school, we call it the “Good Morning Show” in the younger grades and “Forum” in the middle school. Young students are less likely to be afraid of an activity that sounds like fun! Allow students to have fun exploring a topic of their choice, with few if any limitations.

Next, make presentations a routine part of the core curriculum. Presentations should not be once a year or special events. At my school, students are presenting to multiple grade levels every day, providing all students from kindergarten through grade 8 with opportunities to present publicly three to six times each year.

Then, adopt questioning techniques that ask students to think on their feet as part of the routine activity. At these presentations ask students questions that require them not only to recall, but also to make meaningful connections to something they learned in the past, or something they might have experienced outside of school. Be attentive to Bloom’s Taxonomy (higher order thinking skills), and ensure that these skills are embedded in academic conversations as children become accustomed to open-ended questions requiring them to make connections, predict, apply, etc. Making connections is part of the vernacular at my school – so much so that we have our own hand signal for when a connection is made.

Public speaking techniques have to be taught deliberately and methodically. Teachers start slow and build up, using gradual escalation and frequent practice. At my school, we add required components to presentations, and we do not focus solely on increased duration. As children mature, visuals and enhancements become more defined. Requirements for audience interaction are added. The expectation for the number and types of sources increases.

Schools have many demands on their time as curricular and testing requirements become increasingly complex. But despite our hectic schedules, the inclusion of public presentation skills in our core scope and sequence is a critical component that should not be overlooked. Attention to these skills will reap lifelong benefits that outlast other areas we spend time on throughout the year.

Melissa Earls is Head of School at Academy Hill in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Boston College. Ms. Earls was named a 2019 Head of School Fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College. For more information, please visit https://www.academyhill.org/welcome or email [email protected].

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9 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Presentation Skills

• October 31, 2018

For many students, standing up in front of their peers and presenting can be a nerve-wracking experience. They are often worried about being judged, appearing nervous, or forgetting the material they have prepared.

As these anxiety-inducing oral presentations are often mandatory in school, it’s important that you work with your child to help improve his or her confidence in public speaking.

Fortunately, there are many public speaking tips for students that can help your child improve his or her confidence and presentation skills.

Learn more about ways you can improve your child’s public speaking skills on a regular basis, in the weeks before a presentation, and the morning of a presentation.

On A Regular Basis

Enroll your child in an activity that promotes discussion.

Help your child become more comfortable speaking publicly by enrolling him or her in an after-school activity that promotes group discussion.

Activities such as debate team and book club help build confidence by encouraging young people to speak openly to a group of peers. Once your child starts speaking publicly on a regular basis, speaking in front of his or her class may be less intimidating.

Encourage Your Child in Conversation

If you notice your child speaking up at the dinner table or at a social event, encourage him or her! Tell your child that he or she brings up great points and should elaborate. If your child believes that his or her opinion is interesting and worth hearing, he or she will be more confident sharing in front of others.

When Preparing For The Presentation

Help your child organize (and memorize) the material.

The first step in memorizing a presentation is proper organization. Help your child organize what he or she wants to say into main topics. This will help give the presentation a better flow and make it easier to memorize. Once the material is sorted into topics, set aside a bit of time each day where your child memorizes each section.

Have your Child Practice In Front of Your Family

The key to mastering anything is practice. The more your child presents in front of people, the better at it he or she will get.

Help your child practice speaking to an audience by having your child present at home. The benefit is he or she will be able to iron out any kinks in the material and get more comfortable speaking in front of others. Your family will also be able to offer their support (and any tips for improvement).

Bring Your Child To His or Her Classroom After-Hours to Practice

All year, your child has been sitting at a desk amongst other classmates listening to the teacher speak at the front of the room. Once your child has to go up to the front of the class to present, he or she may panic because it feels completely new and unnatural.

Help your child become more comfortable at the front of the class by bringing him or her to the classroom after hours to practice. If it isn’t possible to gain access to your child’s classroom, set up a mock classroom at home for your child to practice.

Practice Breathing and Speaking Clearly

A common mistake students make when presenting is speaking too fast. They get nervous and want to finish the presentation as soon as possible, so they speak quickly. This doesn’t allow the presenter to breathe properly and makes it harder for the audience to understand what is being said.

Help your child practice taking deep breaths when speaking, and even pausing to drink water if he or she needs to catch his or her breath.

The Morning Of The Presentation

Help him or her pick out a polished outfit.

If your child is in need of a little extra confidence the day of the presentation, help put together a polished outfit that looks professional. Having your child look in the mirror and see a young professional can give your child the boost of confidence he or she needs to speak to the class.

Your child’s teacher will also appreciate the outfit because it shows your child is taking the assignment seriously.

Make Your Child A Hearty Breakfast

The feelings you get when you are hungry—disorientation and lightheadedness—mimic some of the symptoms of high levels of anxiety. You don’t want your child thinking he or she is panicking before when really, it’s just hunger. Having a hearty breakfast in the morning will eliminate this risk and give your child the energy needed to remain focused and calm.

Help Reduce Your Child’s Anxiety

Unless your child enjoys public speaking, he or she is going to be nervous heading to school on the morning of his or her presentation. Show your child as much support and love as you can and remind him or her to breathe.

As a parent, you know the best ways to help your child calm down. Take a few minutes in the morning to help relieve the anxiety he or she is having.

Presenting With Confidence Starts With Preparation

Children are more relaxed presenting when they are confident in the material they are speaking about. With these tips, your child can boost his or her confidence and become a more successful public speaker.

Learn more about the programs at GradePower Learning and how our tutors can help.

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8 Ways to Teach Your Students Presentation Skills

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As an educator, it’s important to teach your students not just the subject immediately at hand, but also to build the skills and understanding that your students can carry forward into other learning environments in their future. From test taking skills and study habits to more general life skills like public speaking and self motivation, teaching is about guiding the next generation of students into their lives as functional members of society, and one of the skills you can help instill in your students is the ability to present and speak in public.

Public speaking and presentation skills can sometimes be difficult to teach on a wider scale, especially when you have a class with varying levels of comfort with presentation. Some people may be introverts, or even have anxiety around public speaking. However, managing those restless feelings is a part of learning presentation. While some teachers would rather throw their students right into things, it is completely possible to guide your students in the realm of presentation so they can broaden their skills and become truly comfortable. Here are eight ways you can teach your students about presentation and public speaking.

1. Show Examples

One of the best ways to ease your students into the world of presentation is to inspire them! There are so many great examples of public speaking, from the vast library of TED talks to guest speakers you can invite into your classroom. Show examples of public speaking and discuss them. See what your students have to say and how they react.

2. Use Small Groups

Practice often makes perfect, and sometimes that practice is best done when your students don’t even realize they’re practicing yet. Sure, presenting for a whole class can feel overwhelming, but breaking off into small groups can be a great stepping stone to practice the skills needed to present, but in a lower-stakes environment.

3. Reinforce Positive Feedback

The power of positive reinforcement can really do wonders for a student, both in terms of self esteem, and actual academic success. While some teachers evaluate based on areas in need of improvement, focusing first on what your students are doing right can give them something to focus on so they can keep up the good work and grow their confidence. This can especially help students who are nervous or struggling with self esteem.

4. Revisit Previous Projects

Sometimes, the best way to learn is by retracing your steps. And this can be true in the classroom as well as in the real world. Revisiting old projects can not only help students realize how far they have come, but also in understanding themselves a bit better overall throughout the process.

5. Encourage Questions

Teaching students is all about helping them learn what they’re missing, no matter what the subject at hand is. Even if students don’t have a lot of questions at first, encouraging them to think of ideas to ask questions and spark discussions can help engage them and guide them towards a better understanding, both of what they’re presenting about and the idea of presenting itself. 

6. Run a Discussion-Based Classroom

Presenting is often all about learning to vocalize and express yourself in front of a classroom, and this can feel especially stark for students when the format is so drastically different in your traditional classroom. If your students are used to lectures all day long, finally getting the chance to speak can feel foreign. However, in a discussion-based classroom, your students can express themselves freely and practice their speaking skills regularly, so it won’t feel so odd when the time comes to do it more formally.

7. Practice One-On-One

Some students can be especially nervous and really do need that personalized instruction. When you encounter students like this, working with them individually can often help them get over the hurdles they need to overcome. Sometimes, speaking in front of just you can feel like a lot, but accomplishing that can give them a boost of confidence they need to catch up with their peers.

8. Use Self Evaluation

Just like looking back on past projects, self evaluation can not only help students recognize their own progress and strengths, but also guide them in the ways they need to grow in the future. Public speaking is a skill that’s ever-evolving, and building a self awareness and confidence in that skill can be useful in future projects, even if they don’t realize it yet.

Teaching Presentation Skills

Presentation skills are about so much more than just one project or assignment. They’re skills that will serve your students throughout life, so it’s especially important to think critically about how to best teach and assess them. When you engage with your students and push them to be better, they might just surprise you with how far they come.

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How to give a presentation

Does the thought of public speaking start your stomach churning like a tornado? Would you rather get caught in an avalanche than give a speech? Giving an oral report does not have to be a natural disaster. There are two main elements—the writing and the presentation. Find out how to put it all together with tips from the Nat Geo Kids Almanac .

Writing Your Material

Try to keep your sentences short and simple. Long, complex sentences are harder to follow. Limit yourself to just a few key points. You don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too much information. To be most effective, hit your key points in the introduction, elaborate on them in the body, and then repeat them once again in your conclusion.

The three basic parts

• Introduction—This is your chance to engage your audience and really capture their interest in the subject you are presenting. Use a funny personal experience or a dramatic story, or start with an intriguing question.

• Body—This is the longest part of your report. Here you elaborate on the facts and ideas you want to convey. Give information that supports your main idea, and expand on it with specific examples or details. In other words, structure your oral report in the same way you would a written essay so that your thoughts are presented in a clear and organized manner.

• Conclusion—This is the time to summarize the information and emphasize your most important points to the audience one last time.

Preparing Your Delivery

Practice makes perfect. Confidence, enthusiasm, and energy are key to delivering an effective oral report, and they can best be achieved through rehearsal. Ask family and friends to be your practice audience and give you feedback when you’re done. Were they able to follow your ideas? Did you seem knowledgeable and confident? Did you speak too slowly or too fast, too softly or too loudly? The more times you practice giving your report, the more you’ll master the material. Then you won’t have to rely so heavily on your notes or papers, and you will be able to give your report in a relaxed and confident manner.

Present with everything you’ve got

Be as creative as you can. Incorporate videos, sound clips, slide presentations, charts, diagrams, and photos. Visual aids help stimulate your audience’s senses and keep them intrigued and engaged. They can also help to reinforce your key points. And remember that when you’re giving an oral report, you’re a performer. Take charge of the spotlight and be as animated and entertaining as you can. Have fun with it.

Keep your nerves under control

Everyone gets a little nervous when speaking in front of a group. That’s normal. But the more preparation you’ve done—meaning plenty of researching, organizing, and rehearsing—the more confident you’ll be. Preparation is the key. And if you make a mistake or stumble over your words, just regroup and keep going. Nobody’s perfect, and nobody expects you to be.

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9 effective Ways How to Teach Public Speaking to Kids

• Filed under: Featured articles , Public speaking articles , Public speaking tips and tricks , Stage fear

There are a lot of kids who are getting anxious when their parents force them to go out and meet other people. This is because children don’t like being forced to do something they don’t enjoy. As the saying goes: where there is a will, there is a way; and that holds true here as well. Fortunately, there is now an answer to this problem: teaching public speaking skills in children.

How to teach public speaking to kids: Using more videos and visual than words, playing fun activity games and telling memorable stories are proven ways to get your ideas through. Also, breaking children into smaller groups allows your students to practice their skills under a more controlled environment without as much pressure.

PS! See also this post “Public Speaking for Kids: 27 Practical Tips”

Table of Contents

#1 Use a good structure

A good structure for teaching public speaking could be something like this:

• Start with a story about a time when you were nervous and then tell them about how you overcame that anxiety and did well.
• Next, introduce some role playing activities (think of an “audience”), give them instructions on how to speak in front of that audience, and then have them go through those instructions.
• Finally, have them try it out without any real audience, so they can practice their skills and make sure they feel confident in what they are doing.

#2 Do something memorable

To teach public speaking skills to your child, you need to do something memorable. After all, the idea is to remember what they are learning, right?

The best way to do this is by making it fun and interesting. Engaging in activities that children enjoy can help with this. The more they find these activities engaging, the more likely they will stick with them. In addition, be sure to have your kids take part in real-world situations so that they can learn how to cope under pressure and act appropriately when put on the spot.

Additionally, role-playing is another great way to get students engaged in a given activity . For example, giving them a task where they need to speak about their favorite color can help them master the skill of public speaking.

#3 Use more videos and visuals than words

One way to make public speaking easier for children is to use more video and visuals than words. A child has to see the action happening in front of him or her before it can be accomplished.

Videos of showing successes and failures allow them to see what to do in different public speaking situations (how to maintain eye contact, speak clearly without sounding too anxious etc.).

Also, showing videos can teach them how to deal with stage fright and what they should do before, during, and after a presentation.

Kids love looking at pictures, so using pictures in your presentations can help . This will help children not focus on their own nervousness when they are speaking, but rather on the person they are presenting to.

Using stories and role-playing can also be a great way to teach kids how to act in different situations under pressure.

#4 Play fun Activity games

It is important to teach children public speaking skills by engaging them in fun activities that they enjoy doing. There are many ways to teach these skills over time, but one effective strategy is using public speaking activities with kids so they feel comfortable doing it. This helps children become curious about the world around them and learn how to act under pressure.

One way to do this is by playing impromptu games with your child during conversations that you are having with him or her. This will help expose your child to new experiences, encourage their curiosity, and teach them how to act in different situations.

For example, you could ask your students to participate in a role-playing activity where they have to deliver a speech about a topic that embarrasses them.

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

The key is to make sure the experience is fun and engaging so that your child feels confident about practicing public speaking skills. You should also make sure that you capture any unique ideas or insights from the activity so that you can incorporate those into your lessons going forward.

#5 Don’t be afraid of using apps

As a parent, you are likely concerned about whether your child will be able to effectively learn these skills with apps.

Here are some apps that may help you along the way:

• Virtual Speech – This app will help you practice your public speaking, by providing photo-realistic environments to train in.
• Ummo – Whether you are practicing for a presentation or interested in improving your everyday communication, use Ummo to track your “Umm”s and “Uhh”s, pace, word power, clarity, and more
• Speeko – Get A.I.-powered coaching for your presentations, meetings, and interviews. Speeko will teach you the core speaking techniques to achieve effective delivery of your message when it matters most.

However, it is important to keep in mind that these apps are still just tools and an app has no effect on the child’s actual learning capabilities. It is also worth considering that kids actually tend to have more fun using apps than traditional methods for teaching public speaking.

#6 Use gestures and keep eye contact

One way to teach public speaking skills to children is to use gestures and keep eye contact. Whether it’s a classroom or an individual, make sure that you are giving your students the attention they need by keeping contact with them.

Gestures are appealing because they allow people to express themselves without verbalizing their thoughts.

Keeping eye contact helps you become more focused on the person you are speaking with. Also, you’ll get instant feedback from the listeners about whether your speech is any good.

Also, teach your student the importance of eye contact. This can help them use good techniques and give them confidence when they speak in front of the audience.

#7 Give them valuable feedback

The best way to teach public speaking is by providing your students with valuable feedback. By showing them how to speak publicly, you are giving them valuable feedback on how they should act in different situations. What’s more, they will be able to apply all this knowledge at a younger age and start practicing public speaking skills early in life.

It also helps when you give your kids helpful tips on what they can do to improve their speaking abilities. If you have trouble thinking of ways that you can give your child great feedback, try role-playing with them.

It’s good to get valuable 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.

#8 Break Children Into Smaller Groups

One of the best ways to teach public speaking skills to kids is by breaking them into smaller groups. This allows your students to practice their skills under a more controlled environment without as much pressure.

Also, when you break children into smaller groups, you are able to focus on each individual student and ensure that they are receiving the right amount of attention. As a result, it becomes easier for them to receive feedback on how well they are performing.

#9 Tell memorable stories

Children can learn public speaking skills by telling memorable stories. They can also learn from the mistakes of others in an interactive activity.

Tell stories and bring colourful examples

“ Make a point, tell a story” is a good rule to keep in mind. Stories (especially, personal ones) are more impressive than unrealistic examples or confusing facts.

Use Small exaggerations

John Grisham said once that, “There is no story in the world which cannot be improved with a small exaggeration.”

For example, “This guy was as big as a basketball player; he weighed 300 pounds. Now, since I am very short, it was like looking at a skyscraper during our face-to-face conversation.”

Tell Personal Stories

Tell personal stories as they tend to be much more effective than all other examples. Keep in mind that a good speaker must also be a good storyteller. I’ve already mentioned that making a speech doesn’t have to be dry.

How to Teach Public Speaking to Kids?

In order for children to survive in today’s world, they need to learn how to speak in front of people and handle different situations under pressure. Children today are constantly bombarded with technology, social media, and digital content. They have never known a world without these things.

Teaching public speaking can be accomplished by engaging students in fun activities that they enjoy doing as well. It can also be achieved by exposing children to new experiences so that they become curious about the world around them. Lastly, it can happen through role-playing activities with your child so that they learn how to act in different situations under pressure.

Related questions

How to use a teleprompter during your speech? Vary your speaking speed and volume. Move your head slowly and consciously and pause appropriately. Rehearse beforehand using a timer and video camera. (full article here)

How to use humor in a speech? Here are some quick tips: Never start your joke by saying, “I’m going to tell you a joke,” and never laugh at your own jokes. Also, keep it short and simple and try not to insult your listeners. (full article here)

How to practice a speech? The poorer your preparation is and the less work you do, the greater the probability that no-one can relate to your speech, in a way that will make the audience forget you already during your presentation ( Read more about it here… )

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• Tags: Effective speaking , Presentation techniques , Public presentation , Speech tips

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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.

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Parent's Academy › Activities for Kids › Preschool Activities › Public Speaking for Kids: 30 Topic Ideas for 30 Days

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!

Boost Your Child’s Speech Development!

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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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The Ultimate Guide to Effective Teacher Presentations: Strategies & Tips

Dianne Adlawan

Teachers, by nature, are considered professional presenters. Their main responsibility is to talk in front of their students to relay educational knowledge, sharpen their minds and skills, and even serve as a second guide alongside their parents. They also speak in front of parents, co-teachers, and school administrators. This just means that preparing for a presentation is already not new to them.

Still, teachers can become so comfortable with their presentation routine that their techniques turn into autopilot. The result of a repetitive task can become tiring and not challenging anymore which may result in students losing interest or attention span in the process.

The tips featured in this article are dedicated to these hard-working professionals. This will help them prepare and perform a better presentation in front of any type of audience.

Why You Should Prepare for a Presentation

• Preparation helps you build to structure your thoughts to create a well-organized presentation. By taking the time to prepare, you can decide what information is most important, plan the flow of the presentation, and make sure that everything is connected and easy to follow.
• Second, it allows you to think ahead of the questions that your audience might ask. Especially if you’re giving a presentation to a group of various audiences, who are curious about the topic at hand. By preparing in advance, you’ll be able to answer any questions they may have, which will not only increase their understanding but also boost your credibility as a teacher.
• Lastly, preparation helps you make the most of your time. Advanced preparation ahead of the presentation can ensure that you’re not wasting time trying to organize your thoughts at the last minute.

Effects of an Organized and Well-Planned Presentation

An audience engages with a speaker who knows their words and poses a confident attitude. While the projector may display clear and concise slides, the presenter is the main ingredient to every presentation.

For teachers, a well-planned lesson presentation helps the teacher maintain the attention and interest of their students, which is crucial for effective learning. Additionally, being organized and prepared will help teachers convey their ideas more effectively and it will help the teacher to feel more confident, which also impacts their teaching and in turn can help to build trust and rapport with their students.

Possible Outcomes of An Unprepared Presentation

Let’s suppose you haven’t allocated enough time to plan and prepare for an important presentation. What could be the potential outcomes?

• Increased Stress and Anxiety: Lack of preparation can lead to increased anxiety and stress, which can not only hinder your ability to deliver a convincing presentation but also hurt your mental health and work balance. It can cause a “mental block,” causing you to lose focus and concentration during your delivery.
• Poor Presentation Delivery: Without proper preparation, your presentation can appear scattered and disjointed. This can lead to an incoherent message that fails to convince your audience.
• Diminished credibility: Delivering an unprepared presentation can harm your reputation as a professional. It can portray you as disorganized and unreliable which could lead your colleagues or students to question your competence and reliability.

Effective Visual and Content Organization Tips

Consider this as the first stage towards an effective teacher presentation. Before moving on to improving your verbal communication cues, let’s enhance first your presentation visuals and content.

Visual Tips

1. add powerpoint animations and different media.

Establishing an attractive slideshow is one of the keys to a successful presentation. This will put a good impression on your audience that you’re prepared just by seeing how well-designed your presentation is. Of course, images add to slideshow attraction, but consider adding another forms of media such as GIFs and videos, as well as animations! Microsoft PowerPoint has a lot of fun & captivating features that you may not be aware of. Check out this example of an easy yet appealing Slide Zoom trick in PowerPoint that you can add to your presentation to wow your audience.

@classpoint.io Did someone say FREE??? Yes, we did. Here are free websites to help you upgrade your next PowerPoint presentation! 😎 #powerpoint #presentation #design #studytok #edutok #tutorial #tipsandtricks #ai ♬ original sound – r & m <33

Read Next: Make Your Presentations POP With This PowerPoint Animation Template

2. Use Readable Font Styles

Make sure to use the best font style that makes your presentation look sleek, readable, and won’t strain your audience’s eyes while reading. We all want to use a fancy font, trust me, I get it. But most of the time, simplicity is beauty, especially if you’re presenting a professional-looking slideshow. Font styles such as Poppins, Tahoma, Verdana, Montserrat, and Helvetica are great examples of font styles that screams simple yet professional to look at.

On the other hand, font styles such as Bradley Hand, Comic Sans, and Chiller are not ideal choices as they are not meant to captivate your audience’s eyes. And another tip is to stick to two or three fonts only!

3. Use Relevant Graphics

Selecting graphics for designing your presentation depends on your audience and the goals you aim to achieve with the presentation. For example, if you are presenting in front of students and your goal is to keep them engaged, motivated, and actively participating, then you might consider incorporating charts, tables, and relevant shapes into your design.

It’s important to remember that your presentation design should align with the theme of your topic.

Free Websites to Upgrade your Presentation Graphics:

• Craiyon. com
• The Noun Project

4. Use Audience Engagement tools to Activate Learning

Want the quickest solution to an engaged audience? Well, it’s audience interactive activities! Adding interactive activities to your presentation can help keep your audience engaged and interested. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use ClassPoint, an audience engagement tool added right into PowerPoint presentations.

With ClassPoint, you no longer need to worry about strategies to keep your students engaged, as this tool transforms PowerPoint into a teacher presentation tool with a teacher toolbelt and student quizzes , polls, and games that make presentations more fun & engaging.

By combining ClassPoint with your presentation techniques, you can focus solely on setting up your lesson content in PowerPoint and allow ClassPoint to handle the rest for achieving a learning-activated presentation lesson .

🔍 Learn more about ClassPoint, the teacher add-in for better lessons & student engagement 👍

5. Use a Laser Pointer

Help focus your audience attention by using a laser pointer!

With the help of a laser pointer device, teachers are able to attract the attention of their audiences and concentrate on essential points in their presentations. Highlighting these main ideas and terms assists the speaker in organizing their speech, preventing distraction, and increasing retention of the information presented.

You can use a physical laser pointer & clicker, or with the addition of ClassPoint into PowerPoint, presenters can easily turn their cursor into a laser or a spotlight . This can make it even easier for students to follow along and is a convenient tool for creating a more captivating teacher presentation.

Secret tip: if you write on your slide with the laser, it will leave disappearing ink! 🪄

Content Tips

1. research and fact-check your presentation.

As educators, it is crucial to equip ourselves with reliable and accurate information before presenting to our students. We have a responsibility to not only educate them but to also mold them into critical thinkers who are equipped with factual knowledge. Without thorough fact-checking, we risk disseminating misinformation and hindering their intellectual growth.

To avoid such situations, we must prioritize research and fact-checking before presenting any information. Conducting research helps us not only in finding accurate information but also in ensuring that the sources we use are reliable and credible. Moreover, taking the time to fact-check demonstrates our commitment to providing students with high-quality education and the desire to create a safe and accurate learning environment.

2. Be Prepared to Anticipate Questions during the Presentation

It is important to be well-prepared for a presentation especially anticipating and addressing questions. This applies particularly to a teacher presentation, as educators face varied expectations and questions. Adequate preparation allows you to organize ideas and justifications, and it can deepen understanding, boost confidence, and improve adaptability. Addressing questions, makes your audiences feel heard and appreciated. This will result in comprehensive presentations, enhanced confidence, improved information flow, and an atmosphere of respect and understanding.

A great & visual way you can elaborate, or explain your material in new ways, is by using ClassPoint’s whiteboard tools added to PowerPoint. ClassPoint’s added toolbar presents teachers with unlimited whiteboard slides they can open whenever they need, and user-friendly yet comprehensive pen tools with available shapes, and text boxes. Plus you can also use ClassPoint’s quick poll or other question types to assess students’ understanding with hard data & insights.

Addressing questions well makes your audience or students feel heard & appreciated leading to improved learning, enhanced confidence, and a respectful, safe learning environment.

3. Provide an Outline Structure of your Content

When you are preparing your presentation, it is best to first create an effective outline structure that will guide your presentation flow and help you focus on the main learning objective. But what you may not be doing, is offering that outline structure to your students, but you should!

Providing students with a clear understanding of what this lesson is about, the structure of the lesson, and what they will be able to take away from it is important. By doing so, you can help students stay focused and follow along with the material. Additionally, you are setting expectations and ensuring that everyone is on the same page, which can help promote student autonomy. So, include an outline at the start of your presentation lesson.

Step-by-Step Strategies for a Successful Presentation

Before presentation, know your audience, your students, or observers.

Once you have completed your deck, you may want to add a guide script and any additional notes with important points you don’t want to forget or you want to highlight in your presentation to impress your students .

Practice your presentation delivery/lesson

Practice delivering your presentation give you a chance to fine-tune your content and get your facts down. This will help you become more comfortable with the material and identify areas that need improvement. You can practice in front of a mirror, record yourself and watch it back, or even rehearse with a colleague or friend. When practicing, pay attention to your posture, tone of voice, and pacing. By doing so, you’ll be able to deliver a confident and engaging presentation that will captivate your audience.

Use a friendly tone of voice and pace

Adjust your tone to match your message, and avoid speaking too quickly so that your audience will get the chance to absorb the information you’re sharing. By being mindful of these aspects, you will capture your audience’s attention and leave them feeling informed and inspired.

Use engaging body language

Body language is essential for engaging your audience during a presentation. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and use hand gestures to emphasize important points. You can also move around the classroom to keep your students’ attention. By using engaging body language, you’ll be able to convey your message more effectively and keep your students interested throughout the presentation. You’ve got this!

During Presentation

Create an icebreaker.

Having an icebreaker is a warm-up for your students’ brains, allowing you to focus and engage with the material being presented. It also helps break down any barriers or tension between the presenter and the audience, making for a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, an icebreaker provides an opportunity for the presenter to showcase their creativity and personality, adding an extra level of excitement and engagement to the presentation.

Good thing that ClassPoint has numerous features to help you perform an entertaining and unforgettable icebreaker. Here are some examples that you can use during an icebreaker.

• Quick Poll : Quick Poll allows you to create interactive polls right inside your presentation. When used as an icebreaker, it can engage the audience, initiate discussions, and provide valuable insights that help tailor the content to participants’ preferences.
• Word Cloud: Presenters can ask thought-provoking questions related to the topic or general interest. Using Word Cloud, the audiences can answer through their mobile which can be instantly seen as collective responses, with the most frequently mentioned words appearing larger.
• Short Answer : In short answer, you can challenge your audiences’ thought process in a short-form writing activity with no options to get from to test their ability to understand.
• Image Upload : Using single image, audiences can interpret what they feel like, or their mood using only the photos in their gallery or surroundings. A creative yet fun way for an icebreaker!

Speak clearly

Effective communication is crucial when presenting important information to students. Speaking clearly helps ensure that students understand the concepts being taught and follow instructions effectively. As a teacher, it’s important to focus on clear speech to promote effective communication and help your students comprehend the material being presented.

Pay attention to your audience’s attention

Since distractions are aplenty, attention spans are dwindling, it’s important for presenters to captivate their audience’s attention right from the beginning. For teachers, when speaking in front of your class, you should not only focus on the content of your presentation but also on your students’ attention.

To ensure that your students won’t start drifting away or zoning out, start with a compelling opening that immediately grabs their attention. Use vivid storytelling, examples, or demonstrations to engage your students and drive home your message. Don’t forget the power of humor, and never be afraid to be yourself – authentic, passionate, and confident.

Add Personality: share short relatable stories

“A great personality makes everyone feel energized; just like a flower’s fragrance that freshens ups the complete surrounding.” 29 Personality Quotes to Achieve Greatness

As to what is stated in the quote, having a positive and vibrant personality affects the overall mood of your surrounding, it can capture the audience’s attention and maintain their interest throughout the presentation. While the ultimate goal is to deliver a presentation rich with new learnings and knowledge, adding humor can do no harm to lift up the mood in the room. You might want to start by segueing a short story that your students can relate to and make interactions by encouraging them to share a story too or ask questions.

Post-Presentation Reflection

Take the comments by heart.

Receiving feedback from your students is a great way for evaluating the efficacy of a teacher presentation. This can help you identify areas where you can improve and tailor your teaching tactics to better suit the needs of your students. Listening to your students’ feedback can also promote a feeling of cooperation and enable them to become more actively involved in the learning experience. So, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and take it to heart in order to continually improve your presentations.

Experienced educators understand that they are perpetually crafting their skills, and feedback from their audience brings an opportunity for professional advancement. In addition, accepting audience feedback illustrates esteem and worth for the students’ views. It promotes a feeling of cooperation and enables students to become more actively involved in the learning experience.

Preparing for a presentation is essential for teachers to deliver engaging and impactful content to their students. By structuring thoughts, anticipating questions, and preparing ahead, teachers can achieve a well-organized presentation that will enhance the students’ understanding and leave them feeling confident.

By following our strategies and tips teachers can achieve successful lessons using PowerPoint presentations. And, with the help of an advanced educational technology tool like ClassPoint, teachers can create dynamic and memorable presentations that their students will enjoy and actively participate in.

Try out ClassPoint today and experience a whole teacher presentation in PowerPoint! ✨

About Dianne Adlawan

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Home » Blog » General » Developing Listening and Speaking Skills: A Guide for Elementary School Teachers

Developing Listening and Speaking Skills: A Guide for Elementary School Teachers

Teaching listening and speaking skills is a crucial aspect of elementary education. These skills not only help students communicate effectively but also enhance their overall social and emotional development. As an elementary school teacher, you play a vital role in fostering these skills in your students. In this guide, we will explore the basics of listening and speaking skills, strategies for teaching them, techniques for assessment, and ways to collaborate with parents and guardians.

I. Introduction

A. importance of developing listening and speaking skills in elementary school.

Listening and speaking skills are fundamental to a child’s academic success and personal growth. They form the foundation for effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. By developing these skills, students become active participants in the learning process and are better equipped to express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions.

B. How teachers can play a crucial role in fostering these skills

As an elementary school teacher, you have the unique opportunity to create a supportive and engaging learning environment that promotes the development of listening and speaking skills. By implementing effective strategies and techniques, you can help your students become confident and effective communicators.

II. Understanding the Basics

A. definition of listening and speaking skills.

Listening skills involve the ability to receive, interpret, and understand spoken language. It includes active listening, which requires focused attention and comprehension of the message being conveyed. Speaking skills, on the other hand, involve the ability to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions coherently and fluently.

B. Key components of effective listening and speaking

Effective listening and speaking skills encompass several key components. These include:

• Attentiveness: Being fully present and engaged in the conversation or activity.
• Comprehension: Understanding the message being conveyed and interpreting it accurately.
• Clarity: Expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and coherently.
• Fluency: Speaking with ease and without hesitation.
• Non-verbal communication: Understanding and utilizing body language, facial expressions, and gestures to enhance communication.

C. Common challenges faced by elementary school students

Elementary school students may face various challenges when it comes to developing listening and speaking skills. These challenges can include difficulties with attention and focus, limited vocabulary, shyness or anxiety, and lack of confidence. By understanding these challenges, you can tailor your teaching strategies to address them effectively.

III. Strategies for Teaching Listening Skills

A. creating a conducive learning environment.

A conducive learning environment is essential for developing listening skills. Here are some strategies to create such an environment:

• Minimizing distractions: Reduce noise and visual distractions in the classroom to help students focus on listening.
• Encouraging active listening: Teach students active listening techniques such as maintaining eye contact, asking questions, and paraphrasing to ensure comprehension.

B. Incorporating interactive activities

Interactive activities provide opportunities for students to practice and improve their listening skills. Consider incorporating the following activities:

• Pair and group discussions: Encourage students to engage in conversations with their peers, actively listening and responding to each other.
• Role-playing exercises: Use role-playing to simulate real-life situations and enhance listening skills.

C. Utilizing technology and multimedia resources

Technology and multimedia resources can be powerful tools for teaching listening skills. Consider using the following:

• Audio recordings and podcasts: Play audio recordings or podcasts that require active listening and comprehension.
• Educational videos and online platforms: Utilize educational videos and online platforms that provide listening activities and exercises.

IV. Techniques for Teaching Speaking Skills

A. promoting oral language development.

Promoting oral language development is crucial for developing speaking skills. Here are some techniques to encourage oral language development:

• Engaging in meaningful conversations: Create opportunities for students to engage in conversations that promote critical thinking and expression of ideas.
• Encouraging storytelling and presentations: Assign storytelling or presentation tasks that allow students to practice speaking in front of others.

B. Providing opportunities for public speaking

Public speaking is an essential aspect of speaking skills. Consider providing the following opportunities for students to practice public speaking:

• Classroom presentations: Assign regular presentations where students can showcase their speaking skills.
• Debates and discussions: Organize debates and discussions that require students to express their opinions and engage in persuasive speaking.

C. Incorporating language games and activities

Language games and activities can make speaking practice enjoyable and engaging. Consider using the following:

• Tongue twisters and rhymes: Engage students in tongue twisters and rhymes to improve pronunciation and fluency.
• Storytelling games and improvisation exercises: Use storytelling games and improvisation exercises to enhance creativity and speaking skills.

V. Assessing Listening and Speaking Skills

A. formative assessment strategies.

Formative assessment strategies provide ongoing feedback and help track students’ progress in listening and speaking skills. Consider using the following strategies:

• Observations and checklists: Observe students during class discussions and activities, using checklists to assess their listening and speaking skills.
• Informal discussions and interviews: Engage in informal discussions and interviews with students to assess their comprehension and speaking abilities.

B. Summative assessment methods

Summative assessment methods provide a comprehensive evaluation of students’ listening and speaking skills. Consider using the following methods:

• Oral presentations and performances: Assign oral presentations or performances where students can demonstrate their speaking skills.
• Listening comprehension tests: Administer listening comprehension tests to assess students’ ability to understand and interpret spoken language.

VI. Collaboration with Parents and Guardians

A. importance of involving families in developing listening and speaking skills.

Involving families in the development of listening and speaking skills is crucial for students’ success. When parents and guardians are engaged, they can reinforce learning at home and provide additional support.

B. Strategies for promoting home-school partnerships

Here are some strategies to promote home-school partnerships in developing listening and speaking skills:

• Sharing resources and activities: Provide parents with resources and activities that they can incorporate into their daily routines to support listening and speaking skills development.
• Regular communication and feedback: Maintain regular communication with parents, providing feedback on their child’s progress and suggesting ways to support their listening and speaking skills at home.

VII. Conclusion

A. recap of key points discussed.

Developing listening and speaking skills is essential for elementary school students’ academic and personal growth. By creating a conducive learning environment, incorporating interactive activities, utilizing technology, and promoting oral language development, teachers can help students become confident and effective communicators.

B. Encouragement for elementary school teachers to prioritize listening and speaking skills development

As an elementary school teacher, you have the power to shape your students’ communication skills and set them on a path to success. Prioritizing the development of listening and speaking skills will not only benefit your students academically but also equip them with essential life skills. Start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today and discover a comprehensive platform that can support your efforts in developing listening and speaking skills in your elementary school classroom.

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Making English Fun

10 Elementary School Presentation Script Examples

Welcome to our special resource dedicated to Elementary School Presentation Scripts.

As teachers, we know the immense value of presentations in developing our students’ confidence, creativity, and communication skills.

In this collection, we aim to provide you with a variety of script examples across diverse topics tailored for young learners.

These scripts are more than just guidelines; they’re stepping stones for our students to express themselves, explore new ideas, and learn to communicate effectively in a supportive environment.

Each Section provides a link to a page with Script examples you can use and download as you need – remember to adapt them for your teaching environment!

Let’s embark on this journey together, nurturing the budding speakers, thinkers, and leaders in our classrooms!

Elementary School Presentation Scripts and Topics

you can use the links below if you are looking for something in particular. Or check out the examples in the article.

• Presentation skills for kids
• Book Report Script Examples
• News Report Script Examples
• Weather Report Script Examples

Science Report Script Examples

• Festival Report Presentation Examples

Dream Job Presentation Examples

• Environment Report Presentation Scripts
• My Community Presentation Scripts
• A Place I Would Like to Visit Presentation Scripts
• My Family Presentation Scripts

Favorite Book Report :

Students can choose a book they love, talk about the story, and explain why it’s their favorite. It encourages reading and comprehension skills.

Book report presentations are a fantastic way for elementary students to develop both their analytical skills and their ability to communicate their thoughts and feelings about what they’ve read.

In a book report presentation, students summarize the plot, discuss characters, and express their personal opinions about the book.

This type of presentation encourages critical thinking and helps students articulate their viewpoints in a structured manner.

Book report Script Example

Introduce Yourself: “ Hello, my name is [Student’s Name], and today I’m presenting on ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl.

What is the book about: “ This book is about a brilliant and kind-hearted girl, Matilda, who loves reading. She faces many challenges, mainly because of her mean parents and the terrifying school principal, Miss Trunchbull. “

Best Part: “ My favorite part is when Matilda discovers her magical powers and uses them to stand up to Miss Trunchbull . “

What does the book teacher us?: “ I think this book teaches us about the importance of kindness and standing up for what’s right. “

Do you Recommend this book?: “ I recommend ‘Matilda’ to anyone who loves stories about courage and friendship.”

Book Report Script and Presentation Examples.

You can check out more examples and editable Book Report Scripts on our dedicated page linked here and above

News Report Scripts

News report presentations in elementary school offer students a unique opportunity to explore current events and practice journalistic skills.

In these presentations, students learn how to gather information, summarize key points, and present news in an informative and engaging manner.

This type of presentation is crucial for developing research skills, understanding the world, and learning how to communicate effectively.

News Report Script Example

“Good morning, I’m [Student’s Name] with today’s news update. Our main story is the local library’s book donation drive.

The drive aims to collect books for children in need. Community members are encouraged to donate books in good condition.

The library manager, Ms. Johnson, says, ‘We hope to foster a love of reading and provide access to books for all children.’

In other news, the weather forecast predicts sunny skies this weekend, perfect for outdoor activities.

Lastly, our school’s annual science fair is next week, showcasing students’ innovative projects. That’s all for today’s news, thank you for tuning in!”

News Script Samples For Students.

You can check out more examples and editable News report Scripts on our dedicated page linked here and above

Weather Report Scripts

Weather report presentations are an engaging way for elementary students to learn about meteorology and develop presentation skills.

In these reports, students describe current weather conditions, forecast future weather, and explain meteorological phenomena.

This exercise enhances their understanding of science and helps them practice clear and concise communication.

Weather Report Script Example:

“Good morning, I’m [Student’s Name], and here’s your weather report. Today, we’re expecting partly cloudy skies with a high of 75 degrees. Perfect weather for playing outside! “

“Did you know that clouds are made of tiny water droplets? Tonight, the temperature will drop to around 50 degrees, so you might need a jacket. “

“This weekend, bring your umbrellas because there’s a chance of rain. Remember, whether it’s sunny or rainy, every type of weather is important for our environment. “

Weather Script Forecast and Report Examples for Students

For more detailed scripts and fun weather facts, check out our full page and downloadable examples on our website.

Science Report Script

Science report presentations allow elementary students to explore and share scientific concepts and discoveries.

Through these presentations, students research a scientific topic, conduct experiments, and present their findings.

This process fosters critical thinking, enhances research skills, and encourages curiosity about the natural world.

Science Report Script Example:

“Hello everyone, I’m [Student’s Name] with a science report on plant growth. Did you know plants need sunlight, water, and air to grow?

I conducted an experiment by growing beans in different conditions. One plant didn’t get enough light, and it didn’t grow as tall as the others.

This shows how important sunlight is for plant health.”

If you’re curious about more scientific experiments and discoveries, visit our full-page resources.

We also have downloadable examples of science reports that you can use to create your own exciting presentations.”

Dream Job Presentation Scripts

My Dream Job : Encouraging children to think about their future aspirations and what they would like to do when they grow up.

Dream job presentations inspire elementary students to explore various careers and envision their future aspirations.

Students research a profession, discuss the responsibilities, and explain why they are interested in that career.

This activity encourages goal setting and self-reflection.

“Hello! My name is [Student’s Name], and my dream job is to be a veterinarian.

Vets help take care of animals and make sure they are healthy. I love animals, and I want to help them, just like my dog when he was sick.

Veterinarians need to be good at science and really caring. “

Dream Job Presentation Script Examples for Students

You can check out more examples and editable Dream job presentation Scripts on our dedicated page linked here and above

Festival Report Presentation Script Examples

Festival report presentations provide a platform for elementary students to learn about and share different cultural festivals.

Students research a festival, explain its significance, and discuss how it is celebrated.

This enhances their understanding of global cultures and helps them develop respect and appreciation for diversity.

Festival Report Script Example:

“Hi, I’m [Student’s Name], and I’ll be talking about Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated in India.

Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness. People decorate their homes with lights and candles, and there are lots of fireworks!

They also exchange gifts and sweets. I love learning about Diwali because it shows how light and goodness can overcome any obstacle.

Festival and Holidays Report Presentation Script for Students.

We also have downloadable examples of festival reports that can help you create an engaging presentation on a festival of your choice.”

Environment Report Presentation Script Examples

Environment report presentations are a crucial way for elementary students to learn about and discuss environmental issues.

In these presentations, students explore topics like conservation, pollution, and sustainability, helping them understand their role in protecting the planet.

Environment Report Script Example:

“Good day, everyone. I’m [Student’s Name], and today’s environment report is on recycling.

Recycling helps reduce waste and saves natural resources. For example, recycling paper saves trees, and recycling plastic helps protect oceans from pollution.

I started recycling at home, and it’s easy! We can all make a difference in keeping our planet clean.

Environment Presentation Script Examples for Students

We also have downloadable examples of environment reports that you can use to create your own presentation on how to protect our Earth.”

My Community Presentation Examples

My Community presentations encourage elementary students to explore and appreciate their local community.

These presentations can cover local landmarks, community services, or notable events, helping students develop a sense of connection and pride in their community.

My Community Script Example:

“Hi, I’m [Student’s Name], and I’m here to talk about my community. I live in [City/Town], which is known for its beautiful [Park/Landmark].

We also have a community center where people can take classes and play sports.

Last month, our community held a clean-up day at the park, and it was a lot of fun!

Community events like this help us all come together and make our town a better place.

My Community Presentation Script Examples for Students

Want to know more about community projects or how to talk about your community? Visit our full page for more details and downloadable examples

My Family Presentation Examples

My Family Tree : This topic allows children to explore their family history and share it with their classmates, fostering a sense of identity and heritage.

My Family presentations allow elementary students to share stories and information about their family heritage and traditions.

This helps students understand their background and fosters a sense of identity and belonging.

My Family Presentation Script :

“Hello! My name is [Student’s Name], and I’m excited to tell you about my family.

We come from [Country/Region], and we have some cool traditions, like [Tradition]. Every year, we gather to celebrate [Holiday/Festival], which is special to us.

My family also loves to cook [Traditional Dish], and it’s delicious! Talking about my family makes me proud of where I come from.

If you’re interested in learning how to create your own family presentation, check out our full page.

My Family: Class Presentation Script Examples

We’ve got great resources and downloadable examples to help you share your family’s unique story.”

Place I Would Love to Visit Examples

A Place I Would Love to Visit : Students can research and present about a place they dream of visiting, discussing the culture, landmarks, and why it fascinates them.

“Place I Would Love to Visit” presentations inspire elementary students to explore and dream about different destinations around the world.

This topic encourages students to research a specific location, learn about its culture, geography, and landmarks, and express why they find it appealing.

It’s an excellent way for students to broaden their horizons and practice their research and presentation skills.

Place I Would Love to Visit Script

“Hi, my name is [Student’s Name], and the place I would love to visit is Paris, France.

Paris is known as the ‘City of Lights’ and it’s famous for the Eiffel Tower. I want to see the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s all lit up.

Paris is also famous for its delicious food, like croissants and macarons, which I’d love to try. Another reason I want to visit Paris is to see the beautiful art in the Louvre Museum.”

A Place I Would Like to Visit Scripts for Students

You can check out more scripts for travel and places to visit on the link and on the image above. We also have downloadable and printable scripts for you.

18 Presentation Tips for Kids

Each subject area, from the wonders of the environment to the intimate narratives of family life, offers unique opportunities for young learners to engage, learn, and grow.

We’ve traveled through the realms of book reviews, delved into the dynamics of news and weather reporting, unraveled the mysteries of science, celebrated diverse global festivals, and dreamt about future careers.

Our exploration of community life highlighted the importance of local engagement, while the scripts on dream destinations ignited wanderlust and curiosity about the world.

We encourage you to use these as starting points, adapting and expanding upon them to suit the unique voices and experiences of your young presenters.

Further Reading

• https://learningmole.com/presentation-skills-for-kids/
• https://www.duarte.com/tips-for-kids-to-nail-presentations/
• https://www.planetspark.in/blogs/7-ways-to-improve-presentations-skills-for-kids-with-best-online-training-at-planetspark

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New advances in technology are upending education, from the recent debut of new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT to the growing accessibility of virtual-reality tools that expand the boundaries of the classroom. For educators, at the heart of it all is the hope that every learner gets an equal chance to develop the skills they need to succeed. But that promise is not without its pitfalls.

“Technology is a game-changer for education – it offers the prospect of universal access to high-quality learning experiences, and it creates fundamentally new ways of teaching,” said Dan Schwartz, dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), who is also a professor of educational technology at the GSE and faculty director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning . “But there are a lot of ways we teach that aren’t great, and a big fear with AI in particular is that we just get more efficient at teaching badly. This is a moment to pay attention, to do things differently.”

For K-12 schools, this year also marks the end of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding program, which has provided pandemic recovery funds that many districts used to invest in educational software and systems. With these funds running out in September 2024, schools are trying to determine their best use of technology as they face the prospect of diminishing resources.

Here, Schwartz and other Stanford education scholars weigh in on some of the technology trends taking center stage in the classroom this year.

AI in the classroom

In 2023, the big story in technology and education was generative AI, following the introduction of ChatGPT and other chatbots that produce text seemingly written by a human in response to a question or prompt. Educators immediately worried that students would use the chatbot to cheat by trying to pass its writing off as their own. As schools move to adopt policies around students’ use of the tool, many are also beginning to explore potential opportunities – for example, to generate reading assignments or coach students during the writing process.

AI can also help automate tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing teachers to do the human work that drew them into the profession in the first place, said Victor Lee, an associate professor at the GSE and faculty lead for the AI + Education initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. “I’m heartened to see some movement toward creating AI tools that make teachers’ lives better – not to replace them, but to give them the time to do the work that only teachers are able to do,” he said. “I hope to see more on that front.”

He also emphasized the need to teach students now to begin questioning and critiquing the development and use of AI. “AI is not going away,” said Lee, who is also director of CRAFT (Classroom-Ready Resources about AI for Teaching), which provides free resources to help teach AI literacy to high school students across subject areas. “We need to teach students how to understand and think critically about this technology.”

Immersive environments

The use of immersive technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality is also expected to surge in the classroom, especially as new high-profile devices integrating these realities hit the marketplace in 2024.

The educational possibilities now go beyond putting on a headset and experiencing life in a distant location. With new technologies, students can create their own local interactive 360-degree scenarios, using just a cell phone or inexpensive camera and simple online tools.

“This is an area that’s really going to explode over the next couple of years,” said Kristen Pilner Blair, director of research for the Digital Learning initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which runs a program exploring the use of virtual field trips to promote learning. “Students can learn about the effects of climate change, say, by virtually experiencing the impact on a particular environment. But they can also become creators, documenting and sharing immersive media that shows the effects where they live.”

Integrating AI into virtual simulations could also soon take the experience to another level, Schwartz said. “If your VR experience brings me to a redwood tree, you could have a window pop up that allows me to ask questions about the tree, and AI can deliver the answers.”

Gamification

Another trend expected to intensify this year is the gamification of learning activities, often featuring dynamic videos with interactive elements to engage and hold students’ attention.

“Gamification is a good motivator, because one key aspect is reward, which is very powerful,” said Schwartz. The downside? Rewards are specific to the activity at hand, which may not extend to learning more generally. “If I get rewarded for doing math in a space-age video game, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be motivated to do math anywhere else.”

Gamification sometimes tries to make “chocolate-covered broccoli,” Schwartz said, by adding art and rewards to make speeded response tasks involving single-answer, factual questions more fun. He hopes to see more creative play patterns that give students points for rethinking an approach or adapting their strategy, rather than only rewarding them for quickly producing a correct response.

Data-gathering and analysis

The growing use of technology in schools is producing massive amounts of data on students’ activities in the classroom and online. “We’re now able to capture moment-to-moment data, every keystroke a kid makes,” said Schwartz – data that can reveal areas of struggle and different learning opportunities, from solving a math problem to approaching a writing assignment.

But outside of research settings, he said, that type of granular data – now owned by tech companies – is more likely used to refine the design of the software than to provide teachers with actionable information.

The promise of personalized learning is being able to generate content aligned with students’ interests and skill levels, and making lessons more accessible for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Realizing that promise requires that educators can make sense of the data that’s being collected, said Schwartz – and while advances in AI are making it easier to identify patterns and findings, the data also needs to be in a system and form educators can access and analyze for decision-making. Developing a usable infrastructure for that data, Schwartz said, is an important next step.

With the accumulation of student data comes privacy concerns: How is the data being collected? Are there regulations or guidelines around its use in decision-making? What steps are being taken to prevent unauthorized access? In 2023 K-12 schools experienced a rise in cyberattacks, underscoring the need to implement strong systems to safeguard student data.

Technology is “requiring people to check their assumptions about education,” said Schwartz, noting that AI in particular is very efficient at replicating biases and automating the way things have been done in the past, including poor models of instruction. “But it’s also opening up new possibilities for students producing material, and for being able to identify children who are not average so we can customize toward them. It’s an opportunity to think of entirely new ways of teaching – this is the path I hope to see.”

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Why writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning

Jonathan Lambert

If you're like many digitally savvy Americans, it has likely been a while since you've spent much time writing by hand.

The laborious process of tracing out our thoughts, letter by letter, on the page is becoming a relic of the past in our screen-dominated world, where text messages and thumb-typed grocery lists have replaced handwritten letters and sticky notes. Electronic keyboards offer obvious efficiency benefits that have undoubtedly boosted our productivity — imagine having to write all your emails longhand.

To keep up, many schools are introducing computers as early as preschool, meaning some kids may learn the basics of typing before writing by hand.

But giving up this slower, more tactile way of expressing ourselves may come at a significant cost, according to a growing body of research that's uncovering the surprising cognitive benefits of taking pen to paper, or even stylus to iPad — for both children and adults.

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In kids, studies show that tracing out ABCs, as opposed to typing them, leads to better and longer-lasting recognition and understanding of letters. Writing by hand also improves memory and recall of words, laying down the foundations of literacy and learning. In adults, taking notes by hand during a lecture, instead of typing, can lead to better conceptual understanding of material.

"There's actually some very important things going on during the embodied experience of writing by hand," says Ramesh Balasubramaniam , a neuroscientist at the University of California, Merced. "It has important cognitive benefits."

While those benefits have long been recognized by some (for instance, many authors, including Jennifer Egan and Neil Gaiman , draft their stories by hand to stoke creativity), scientists have only recently started investigating why writing by hand has these effects.

A slew of recent brain imaging research suggests handwriting's power stems from the relative complexity of the process and how it forces different brain systems to work together to reproduce the shapes of letters in our heads onto the page.

Your brain on handwriting

Both handwriting and typing involve moving our hands and fingers to create words on a page. But handwriting, it turns out, requires a lot more fine-tuned coordination between the motor and visual systems. This seems to more deeply engage the brain in ways that support learning.

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"Handwriting is probably among the most complex motor skills that the brain is capable of," says Marieke Longcamp , a cognitive neuroscientist at Aix-Marseille Université.

Gripping a pen nimbly enough to write is a complicated task, as it requires your brain to continuously monitor the pressure that each finger exerts on the pen. Then, your motor system has to delicately modify that pressure to re-create each letter of the words in your head on the page.

"Your fingers have to each do something different to produce a recognizable letter," says Sophia Vinci-Booher , an educational neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University. Adding to the complexity, your visual system must continuously process that letter as it's formed. With each stroke, your brain compares the unfolding script with mental models of the letters and words, making adjustments to fingers in real time to create the letters' shapes, says Vinci-Booher.

That's not true for typing.

To type "tap" your fingers don't have to trace out the form of the letters — they just make three relatively simple and uniform movements. In comparison, it takes a lot more brainpower, as well as cross-talk between brain areas, to write than type.

Recent brain imaging studies bolster this idea. A study published in January found that when students write by hand, brain areas involved in motor and visual information processing " sync up " with areas crucial to memory formation, firing at frequencies associated with learning.

"We don't see that [synchronized activity] in typewriting at all," says Audrey van der Meer , a psychologist and study co-author at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She suggests that writing by hand is a neurobiologically richer process and that this richness may confer some cognitive benefits.

Other experts agree. "There seems to be something fundamental about engaging your body to produce these shapes," says Robert Wiley , a cognitive psychologist at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. "It lets you make associations between your body and what you're seeing and hearing," he says, which might give the mind more footholds for accessing a given concept or idea.

Those extra footholds are especially important for learning in kids, but they may give adults a leg up too. Wiley and others worry that ditching handwriting for typing could have serious consequences for how we all learn and think.

What might be lost as handwriting wanes

The clearest consequence of screens and keyboards replacing pen and paper might be on kids' ability to learn the building blocks of literacy — letters.

"Letter recognition in early childhood is actually one of the best predictors of later reading and math attainment," says Vinci-Booher. Her work suggests the process of learning to write letters by hand is crucial for learning to read them.

"When kids write letters, they're just messy," she says. As kids practice writing "A," each iteration is different, and that variability helps solidify their conceptual understanding of the letter.

Research suggests kids learn to recognize letters better when seeing variable handwritten examples, compared with uniform typed examples.

This helps develop areas of the brain used during reading in older children and adults, Vinci-Booher found.

"This could be one of the ways that early experiences actually translate to long-term life outcomes," she says. "These visually demanding, fine motor actions bake in neural communication patterns that are really important for learning later on."

Ditching handwriting instruction could mean that those skills don't get developed as well, which could impair kids' ability to learn down the road.

"If young children are not receiving any handwriting training, which is very good brain stimulation, then their brains simply won't reach their full potential," says van der Meer. "It's scary to think of the potential consequences."

Many states are trying to avoid these risks by mandating cursive instruction. This year, California started requiring elementary school students to learn cursive , and similar bills are moving through state legislatures in several states, including Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Wisconsin. (So far, evidence suggests that it's the writing by hand that matters, not whether it's print or cursive.)

Slowing down and processing information

For adults, one of the main benefits of writing by hand is that it simply forces us to slow down.

During a meeting or lecture, it's possible to type what you're hearing verbatim. But often, "you're not actually processing that information — you're just typing in the blind," says van der Meer. "If you take notes by hand, you can't write everything down," she says.

The relative slowness of the medium forces you to process the information, writing key words or phrases and using drawing or arrows to work through ideas, she says. "You make the information your own," she says, which helps it stick in the brain.

Such connections and integration are still possible when typing, but they need to be made more intentionally. And sometimes, efficiency wins out. "When you're writing a long essay, it's obviously much more practical to use a keyboard," says van der Meer.

Still, given our long history of using our hands to mark meaning in the world, some scientists worry about the more diffuse consequences of offloading our thinking to computers.

"We're foisting a lot of our knowledge, extending our cognition, to other devices, so it's only natural that we've started using these other agents to do our writing for us," says Balasubramaniam.

It's possible that this might free up our minds to do other kinds of hard thinking, he says. Or we might be sacrificing a fundamental process that's crucial for the kinds of immersive cognitive experiences that enable us to learn and think at our full potential.

Balasubramaniam stresses, however, that we don't have to ditch digital tools to harness the power of handwriting. So far, research suggests that scribbling with a stylus on a screen activates the same brain pathways as etching ink on paper. It's the movement that counts, he says, not its final form.

Jonathan Lambert is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance journalist who covers science, health and policy.

• handwriting

Staff Council

Jennifer mcginn helps students reach their potential.

Jennifer McGinn has been with University of Iowa REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) since 2016. The comprehensive four-year program within the College of Education helps college-age students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities transition to the next phase of life in a structured collegiate environment. 

As a member of REACH’s academic team, McGinn teaches several classes, including Health I, Health II, Lifetime Literacy, and Social Skills, and provides academic support as students select classes and navigate campus. 

“I believe that all people can accomplish big things with the appropriate types of support,” McGinn said. “I value talking with students about ways to manage their feelings and identifying how their goals might be able to influence the decisions they choose to make.”

Prior to becoming a UI staff member, the UI alumna; worked in several non-profit organizations supporting children with mental health diagnosis. The goal was providing students resources to cope with their feelings and to manage their behaviors. In addition, McGinn worked as a paraprofessional in a classroom for elementary aged students with an autism diagnosis. 

Student success has remained a key driver throughout McGinn’s career. 

“Seeing students succeed is the thing that makes me the proudest,” McGinn said. “This success could be managing their feelings in that moment or graduating from the UI REACH program and everything in between. It doesn’t matter how big or small the achievement is, it matters that the student took the steps to meet their goals. All people have strengths and challenges and supporting students to overcome their challenges is very rewarding.”

When not at work, McGinn enjoys exploring with her 9-year-old daughter, Maelyn. Last summer, they embarked on a 19-day camping trip in which they stopped at several national parks and other attractions on their way to Seattle, Washington. She also enjoys raising Monarch butterflies with Maelyn, spending time at her husband’s family’s lake house in Indiana, and, coaching Maelyn’s volleyball team. 

McGinn’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Colleagues have recognized McGinn’s commitment to students and her support for mental health. 

“Jenny McGinn creates inclusive environments everywhere,” colleagues wrote. “She has a wide variety of campus connections and does her best to meet with and ask questions for the goal of improving well-being, for not only her life but for the students she has interactions with daily.”