Becoming a Confident Public Speaker & Performer

Performance and public speaking are a part of life at The Meadows starting at age three in Beginning School. Our recent Halloween celebration included the entire Beginning School onstage performing seasonal songs for their parents. They used a portion of their music class time to learn and practice each number. A few were unsure of the words and actions. A few saw their parents and froze, and even more played to the crowd like seasoned performers. Regardless of their experience, this performance was among the first of many opportunities for a Meadows student to take the stage.

Each Beginning School class puts on a program every year. These thematically based programs include prepared speaking parts, singing, and choreography. Topics in recent years have included baseball, fire safety, under the sea, manners, and the rainforest. The first program of the year is coming up on November 15. Our preschoolers learn where to sit or stand on stage, when to come to the microphone, how to sing for an audience, and simple dance steps. Costumes and props are included. Needless to say, these are not professional quality Broadway productions. They serve a more important purpose for early learning. Regardless of the topic, children are memorizing an age-appropriate amount of text and gaining the confidence to speak in front of a group. Learning new routines and following stage directions helps them with brain development by practicing adaptability and quick transitions. Collaboration and cooperation are vital life skills that are enhanced by group performance. All Meadows students are given the opportunity to be in a program every year all the way through Lower School. These productions look more polished and become more complex with each grade, but the purpose remains.

Parents, friends, and grandparents who attend our preschool programs often choose the same phrase when addressing teachers. “How do you get those children to do that? It is like herding cats.” Our teachers are not professional cat herders. I prefer skilled child wrangler or the technically correct term: preschool teacher. It is all part of the job.

 

If I’m being honest (rather than boastful), I’ll admit that our student performances have entertainment value for peers and parents. Four-year-olds on a stage are usually adorable, even if they accidentally turn away from the microphone before they are finished speaking, mispronounce a few words, or cry for a moment if they become overwhelmed. You will not see fourth and fifth graders with the same errors during a Meadows Singers program. In fact, you will probably not notice an error because they have already learned how to cover mistakes without the audience being the wiser.

 

In addition to programs, Beginning School students also have the much-enjoyed monthly Show and Tell. Each month has a theme and children come to school prepared to speak to their classmates about their chosen item to share. Again, the topic is less important than the process. Learning to be confident in front of an audience of peers in a safe environment is great practice for the future. We always wonder which little one will join our forensics program in Middle or Upper School and become a nationally ranked debater.

For students who attend the Meadows for a number of years, public speaking becomes a natural part of their lives and not something to be feared. Whether it is a Halloween song in preschool, a third grade class program, a Middle School drama production or debate class, or an Upper School musical (they are currently in preparation for Mamma Mia!), Meadows students have countless chances and choices as they prepare to share their voices and talents with the larger community.