The permission note is signed. The topic is chosen. And suddenly your child, the one who chats non-stop in the car, goes quiet at dinner. “What if I forget my words?” “What if everyone laughs?”

If that sounds familiar, take a breath. Nerves before a speech competition are not a sign your child isn’t ready. They’re a sign it matters to them. And the good news is that confidence on stage isn’t something kids either have or don’t have. Confidence is a skill, and like any skill, it grows with practice.

Whether it’s a school public speaking competition, a debating round, an ASCA speech assessment or a class presentation that feels enormous, here’s how you can help your child walk in feeling prepared rather than panicked.

1. Start with what they want to say, not how they’ll say it

Many kids jump straight to writing a perfect script, then try to memorise every word. That’s where the fear of “forgetting” comes from. Instead, ask them one question first: “If the audience only remembers one thing from your speech, what should it be?”

Once they know their main message, help them build three supporting points around it: a story, an example and a reason. A speech built on ideas they understand is far easier to recover if they lose their place, because they’re explaining something, not reciting it.

2. Swap the full script for palm cards with key words

Once the speech is written, help your child shrink each section down to a few key words on a palm card. Practising from key words feels harder at first, but it trains them to speak naturally and look up at the audience, which judges notice straight away.

3. Practise little and often, out loud

Reading a speech silently is not the same as saying it. Short, regular out-loud practice works better than one long rehearsal the night before. Try:

• The kitchen bench run-through: once a day while dinner’s cooking.
• The soft-toy audience: for younger kids, a row of teddies makes practice feel like play.
• The phone video: older kids can record themselves and pick one thing they did well and one thing to try next time.
• The new listener: a grandparent on a video call is a great “real” audience without the pressure.

4. Practise the body, not just the words

Confident speakers aren’t just saying the right things. They’re standing, breathing and pausing in a way that shows they mean it. Help your child practise:

• Planting both feet, shoulders relaxed, before saying the first word.
• Taking one slow breath and finding a friendly face before starting.
• Pausing after an important line instead of rushing to the next one.
• Looking at different parts of the room, not just at the palm cards.

5. Praise the effort, not just the result

This is the one that matters most, and it’s where parents make the biggest difference. If the only thing that counts is winning, every practice becomes a test they can fail. If what counts is growing, every practice becomes a win.

Instead of “You were great!”, try being specific: “You slowed down at the end and it made your point really strong.” “You lost your place and kept going. That’s brave.” Kids who hear that their effort and courage are noticed are far more willing to step up again, whatever the judges decide.

6. Plan for nerves, rather than hoping they won’t come

Telling a nervous child “don’t be nervous” rarely works. Instead, normalise it: even experienced speakers feel butterflies. Give them a simple plan for the moment before they walk up: one slow breath in, one long breath out, and a reminder of their main message. If they lose their place on the day, the plan is just as simple: pause, glance at the palm card, smile, and carry on. Audiences remember the recovery far more than the stumble.

7. On the day, keep it calm and familiar

A good night’s sleep, a normal breakfast, and no last-minute rewrites. Do one relaxed run-through in the morning, then let it be. Your job on the day is simple: be the friendly face in the room, and be proud of them for standing up there at all.

After the competition: the real growth starts

Whatever the result, ask your child what they’re proud of and what they’d like to try next time. That reflection is what turns one nervous speech into lasting confidence. Many families find that once a child has done one competition, they want to keep building. That’s where regular practice in a supportive group makes a real difference.

If your child tends to hold back, you might also like our guide for parents of children who feel shy speaking in public. And if debating is on the cards, our list of 74 debate topics for kids is a great way to practise at home.

How SpeaksCraft helps kids grow week by week

At SpeaksCraft, children aged 5 to 17 build confidence through our 4-in-1 program: public speaking, debating, drama and creative writing. Classes are small groups of 6 to 10, grouped by age and ability, and complete beginners are always welcome. Our coaches focus on encouragement and building confidence, not just performance, and every term ends with a showcase where kids get to shine in front of family.

We run in-person classes across Sydney and in Perth, plus live online classes for families anywhere in Australia.

Our membership keeps things simple: no term lock-in, no fees during school holidays, you only pay for classes that actually run, and you can join any time with pro-rata billing. It’s $40 per class on a monthly membership, or $38 per class on a quarterly membership (best value).

Not sure if it’s the right fit? Start with a one-off Discovery Class for $45, in person or online. Your child gets a real taste of a class, and our coach will let you know which group suits them best.