Your Pro-tips for Speaking in Public

What can we use instead of index cards, a timer, or a mirror if we don't have them?

If you don't have index cards use small pieces of printer paper or sticky notes for 'a few key words from each point', use a phone or kitchen timer for timing the speech, and practice your opening in a window reflection if you don't have a mirror.

What should we do if we get nervous, lose our place, or the speech goes too long?

If you forget your speech while delivering it, put only a few key words on each index card and glance down, slow your pace, and use your five slow deep breaths (count in 4, hold 2, out 6) before starting to steady nerves and keep to the timer.

How can this activity be changed for younger children or older kids?

For younger kids, let them draw pictures instead of writing the three short points and have a parent act as the invited family member, while older kids can expand to a longer three-minute speech, replace index cards with bullet-point slides, and post their polished talk on DIY.org.

How can we make the speech more interesting or show progress after practicing?

To enhance the speech, add a simple prop related to your favorite game or pet, record yourself on a phone while standing in front of the mirror to review gestures, ask the watcher for written feedback beyond one thing to improve, and then share the final video on DIY.org to show what you learned.