There was a time when I believed public speaking was a “nice-to-have” skill. Useful, yes—but not urgent. Academics came first. Confidence, I thought, would come later. After all, didn’t most of us grow into our voices eventually?

But the world our children are growing up in is very different from the one we did.

Today, children are expected to speak earlier, express opinions sooner, and present themselves confidently—in classrooms, online forums, competitions, and eventually, professional spaces. Silence is no longer seen as modesty; it’s often mistaken for lack of ability.

That realisation didn’t come from an article or a podcast. It came from watching my own child hesitate—again and again—despite knowing the answers.

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The cost of not speaking up

My child wasn’t struggling academically. The struggle was internal. There was a constant fear of being wrong, of being judged, of sounding “less smart.” Over time, that fear started shrinking participation. And that’s when I realised something uncomfortable: knowledge that isn’t expressed slowly fades into self-doubt.

Public speaking, in its true sense, isn’t about delivering speeches. It’s about:

• Explaining ideas clearly

• Asking questions confidently

• Expressing disagreement respectfully

• Communicating thoughts without fear

These skills are no longer optional. They are foundational.

Why early exposure matters

Children who are exposed early to speaking opportunities don’t see communication as performance. They see it as conversation. That difference matters.

Through programs like PlanetSpark, I noticed how children are guided step by step—starting with simple expression, moving into structured thinking, and slowly building comfort with speaking. There is no pressure to “perform.” The focus is on thinking clearly and speaking honestly.

Confidence is built, not discovered

One of the biggest myths we believe as parents is that confidence is a personality trait. In reality, confidence is a byproduct of practice. Children who are allowed to speak regularly—without fear of correction—slowly learn to trust their voice.

I saw this shift at home too. Conversations became longer. Answers became clearer. And the hesitation? It reduced, not because fear vanished—but because courage grew.

A message for parents

If your child struggles to speak, don’t wait. Don’t assume time will fix it. Expression is a skill—and skills need nurturing.

In today’s world, public speaking is not about standing out.
It’s about not being left behind.