How to Get Your Child to Be More Outspoken in Class

Some children are naturally extroverted and have no issues with raising their hand and contributing in class. They are vocal, outgoing, and participatory. Then there are those kids who keep to themselves, are shy, or feel timid when it comes to classroom participation. These kids may know the answers or want to chime in, but their hesitance to be outspoken triumphs over their urge to share.

While not every kid will have the same level of energy or confidence, there are ways to help your child open up and become more self-assured so he can be more outspoken in class. It’s important that your child is part of the learning experience, and that doesn’t mean sitting at his desk quietly all the time. Teachers encourage participation and when your child is excited, rather than nervous to do so, it’s a win-win for the teacher and your child. The whole class will benefit when everyone’s part of the experience! Here are some ways to give your child the confidence to be more outspoken.

Practice at Home

While doing homework, suggest that your child reads his answers aloud to you rather than having you look over his work. This will get him used to answering with confidence and talking about schoolwork to others. Even if the answer’s incorrect, it’s OK to say it out loud. That may be what’s worrying him at school – being wrong and others knowing it. As long as he tried hard and did the work, every kid’s going to be wrong now and then, even him. The more he’s OK with speaking up, the better he’ll get at asking the appropriate questions to get it right the next time around.

Talk to Safe Strangers

When you’re in public with your child, encourage him to do the talking instead of you speaking for him all of the time. For instance, if you’re dining out at a restaurant, have him place his own order rather than you doing it for him. At the library, make him ask the librarian for help himself. He can also practice by answering the home phone or interacting with adults you speak to regularly, such as those at the bus stop with their kids or at the park. Always supervise your child, but allow him to branch out from his comfort zone. This will teach him to develop conversational skills and communication confidence.

Join a Team

Kids gain confidence when they’re part of a like-minded group or team. If your child is athletic, he can join an after-school sports team or Little League. If he’s artsy, he can go to painting or ceramics class. For the musically inclined, joining the choir or band is a great way to be part of a group. Working together with other kids will get your child to begin speak up and participate with other kids who are on his side. This will expand into the classroom once your kid realizes all the kids are in it together.

Does your kid have confidence in the classroom? Do you want him or her to become more outspoken? Any tips for other AMC families you’d like to share?

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By: Melissa A. Kay