In the poem 'Children Learn What They Live' Dorothy Nolte writes that 'if a child lives with encouragement he learns to be confident'. Every parent I have met, wants their child to speak with confidence. It's an important area of development for our children.
Parents often ask me how to develop confidence in children...
How we model Confidence begins with parents and caregivers.
We model confidence to our children every day. Our body language, our vocal projection and tone, our self beliefs, and our willingness to develop ourselves sets a confidence model for them to follow.
Confidence begins with our parenting. The ways we encourage our children. The opportunities we provide them to build confidence. Our ability to accept their current level of confidence. The delivery of feedback and encouragement to grow their confidence. And, our willingness to ask for help when we need to help our children find new levels of confidence.
Nolte is right, encouragement enables a child to learn to be confident. Confidence is learnt. Learners need the room to develop at their own pace and the environment to grow. At Ten Feet Tall our programmes focus on developing speaking and performing confidence for children and adults. We do this by practising important verbal and non-verbal communication skills:
- Posture
- Eye contact
- Vocal Projection
- Body Language
- Conversation Skills
- Telephone Skills
- Interview Skills
- Extempore Speaking
- Storytelling
- Prepared Talks
- Managing fear and anxiety
- Performing in front of an audience
- Giving and receiving encouraging feedback
At the beginning of every term, in all our classes and coaching, we set individual goals with measurable outcomes. If you would like to discuss this further for yourself or children please contact me.
Warmest regards,
Sarah Hartley
Director - Ten Feet Tall