Get Ready for Your Third Speech
Prepare, rehearse, and polish your third short speech by planning content, practicing aloud with timing, adding gestures, and using feedback for improvement.
About this activity
Prepare, rehearse, and polish your third short speech by planning content, practicing aloud with timing, adding gestures, and using feedback for improvement.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick one clear topic or message for your third speech.
- 2
Step 2
Choose a time limit for your speech like 60 or 90 seconds.
- 3
Step 3
Write one lively opening sentence that grabs attention.
- 4
Step 4
List three main points you want to say, one line each.
- 5
Step 5
Write one short closing sentence that restates your message.
- 6
Step 6
Put your opening main points and closing on index cards or in your notebook in order.
- 7
Step 7
Pick two simple gestures that match your main points and decide when to use them.
- 8
Step 8
Say your speech aloud once while timing it with the timer.
- 9
Step 9
Practice your speech in front of the mirror to check facial expressions and posture.
- 10
Step 10
Present the speech to a friend or family member and ask for one or two helpful suggestions.
- 11
Step 11
Make one clear fix based on the feedback and do another timed run.
- 12
Step 12
Share your finished speech on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I help my child prepare their third short speech?
To prepare a third short speech, start by choosing a clear topic and planning a simple structure: opening, two or three key points, and a short conclusion. Write brief note cards or an outline with prompts rather than full sentences. Practice aloud with a timer to meet the time limit, add natural gestures and eye contact, and rehearse in front of a mirror or family. Use feedback to refine wording, pace, and gestures, then run a final timed rehearsal.
What materials do I need to prepare a third short speech?
You'll need a quiet practice space, a timer or phone to check length, and index cards or a single-sheet outline for prompts. Bring a pen to edit, optional props or visuals for clarity, and a phone or camera to record rehearsals. A mirror helps with body language, and a supportive listener (parent, sibling, teacher) gives feedback. Keep water nearby and a simple checklist for pacing, gestures, and clarity.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits children roughly 7–14 years old, but it can be adapted. Younger kids (7–9) need simpler structure, shorter time limits, and more adult guidance. Preteens (10–12) can work on pacing, gestures, and content development. Teenagers (13–14+) benefit from refining style, timing, and persuasive techniques. Adjust expectations, speech length, and independence to match your child’s attention and experience.
What are the benefits of preparing and rehearsing a third speech?
Preparing, rehearsing, and polishing a third speech builds organization, clear thinking, and time management. It strengthens confidence, vocal projection, and nonverbal skills like gestures and eye contact. Regular practice hones editing and listening skills through feedback, reduces performance anxiety, and improves school presentations. These transferable abilities support classroom participation, interviews, and social communication. Encourage reflective feedback so children learn to revise a
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have index cards, a mirror, a timer, or access to DIY.org?
Use scrap paper or cut-up cereal boxes instead of index cards, a smartphone camera or a reflective window for the mirror step to check facial expressions and posture, your phone's timer for the 60/90-second run, and record or share the finished speech privately with a parent if you can't access DIY.org.
What should I do if my speech runs too long or I keep forgetting my gestures during the timed run?
If your speech runs over time or you forget gestures, shorten each of your three main-point lines to one clear phrase, write the two gestures and when to use them on the index cards, and redo the timed run (step 9 and step 11) to confirm the fixes.
How can I adapt the steps for younger or older children?
For younger kids choose a 30-second limit with one simple main point and a picture on a single index card plus one gesture, while older kids can extend to 90–120 seconds, keep three detailed points, use the mirror practice to refine posture and facial expressions, and ask for two specific suggestions when presenting to a friend or family member.
How can we make the speech more engaging or personalize it before sharing?
Make it more engaging by writing a lively opening sentence on the first index card, adding a small prop that matches one main point, filming the timed performance to check posture and facial expression, and then applying the one clear fix from step 11 before sharing on DIY.org.