Many children suffer from fear of speaking. They get nervous at the idea of having to read a piece aloud, being given a turn or having to give a speech. Of course, it is always possible to suffer a little from nerves, but it becomes more annoying if the fear affects the child’s life.
What is fear of public speaking?
Fear of speaking is the fear of speaking in public. This happens regularly in the classroom, when taking turns or having a book discussion. Many children suffer from it, but it rarely causes real problems. If it does cause problems, a child will be very aware of his fear and will spend a lot of time dealing with it. There is also the possibility that the child will perform worse at school due to his anxiety. He may be less able to concentrate on the lesson because he is always afraid of getting a turn.
Children with a fear of speaking may experience stuttering, sweaty palms, blushing, or palpitations. Sometimes a child tries to distract himself by, for example, playing with his hands or looking down.
Different types of fear of speaking
There are different types of fear of speaking. One child may be afraid to actually stand in front of the class to give a speech or book review. A child then sees that all eyes are on him and that everyone is listening attentively to him. As a result, nerves set in and he may no longer be able to express himself.
Another child may suffer from fear of speaking when he has to say something in class. This does not necessarily mean that he has to stand in front of the class, but it can also occur when he is given a turn or has a piece read aloud. Talking in class and knowing that everyone hears it can give you the jitters.
Cause of the fear of speaking
The fear of public speaking can have several reasons. A child may be bullied and therefore be afraid to speak up in class as it will make him stand out and possibly expose him to more bullying. The child may also be afraid of making mistakes. If the teacher asks what the answer to the question is, the child may become afraid. He doesn’t know the answer and he is ashamed of that and is afraid of the reactions of classmates or teachers. It is also possible that the child has an annoying teacher with whom he does not feel comfortable.
Get rid of the fear of speaking
There are several ways to get rid of a fear of speaking. This way you can talk to the child to find out where the fear comes from. If the child only suffers from fear of speaking in a certain subject, it may be that he has not mastered the material well and is therefore afraid. Tutoring can then be a good solution.
How parents and teachers deal with fear can certainly help as well. If the problem and fear are listened to carefully, the child may realize more quickly that there is nothing to be afraid of. Parents and teachers may also be able to find out whether the fears are related to bullying. If that is the case, the bullies can be dealt with accordingly.
If the fear of speaking has more to do with the child’s thinking, there are various therapies available for this. The child then learns to deal with his fears and think in the right way.
Never make the problem worse than it is. A little fear should be allowed. Always make this clear to the child. It didn’t matter that he stuttered or didn’t have an answer. That happens to so many people. Make it clear to him that it is nothing to be ashamed of.