Top 4 Public Speaking Fears Kids Have And How We Help Them Overcome

Every child has fears about speaking in public—but with the right support, those fears can turn into confidence. Here’s how we handle the four most common ones.

1. “What if I forget what to say?”

The Fear: Freezing mid-speech and going blank.

The Fix: We teach kids to use simple structures—like a beginning, middle, and end—to organize their thoughts. Visual cues, cue cards, and storytelling prompts also help make speaking feel more manageable.

Most importantly, we remind them:
"It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to breathe. And it’s absolutely okay to ask for help."

Why it works: Reduces pressure and teaches self-compassion.

2. “Everyone will laugh at me.”

The Fear: Being embarrassed or judged.

The Fix: We create a safe, encouraging environment where effort is celebrated more than performance. Every child claps for every speaker—especially the nervous ones.

We say it aloud:
"We clap for courage, not perfection."

Why it works: Kids feel supported, not spotlighted.

3. “I’m too shy to speak.”

The Fear: Being the center of attention.

The Fix: We never force the spotlight. We begin with one-on-one interactions, storytelling games, and low-pressure partner activities. From there, we build confidence gradually—at each child’s own pace.

Why it works: Shy kids feel seen, not pushed.

4. “I don’t know what to talk about.”

The Fear: Running out of ideas or sounding boring.

The Fix: We provide fun, imaginative prompts and encourage children to speak about things they already love—pets, superheroes, dream vacations, or even what makes them laugh.

When kids speak from the heart, the words flow naturally.

Why it works: It turns speaking into self-expression—not performance.

Final Thought: Confidence Comes with Care

At Unmute with Kanika, we believe every child has a voice worth hearing—they just need the tools, space, and support to discover it.

Public speaking isn’t about raising the loudest voice. It’s about helping children say: “I have something to say—and I believe it matters.”

Once they believe in their voice, there’s no stage too big for them.