Tell your story to a live audience
Write and rehearse a short original story, then present it aloud to a small live audience to practice public speaking and confidence.
Step-by-step guide to tell your story to a live audience
Conducted Story - Acting Improv - Fun with FAMILY and FRIENDS!
Step 1
Pick a topic and one main idea for your story that excites you.
Step 2
Brainstorm five events that will happen in your story and write them as a short list.
Step 3
Use your list to write a short original story on the paper that will take about one to two minutes to read aloud.
Step 4
Read your story silently to yourself to make sure the words and events make sense.
Step 5
Edit one part of the story that sounds confusing and rewrite it so it is clearer.
Step 6
Divide the story into three to five key beats and write each beat on a separate index card.
Step 7
Practice reading the story aloud from your cards while timing one full run with the timer.
Step 8
Practice using different voice tones and simple gestures as you read the story aloud.
Step 9
Do quick warm-ups by taking deep breaths and smiling to loosen your voice and body.
Step 10
Ask three to six family members or friends to be your small live audience and tell them when you will perform.
Step 11
Stand where everyone can see you and present your story aloud to the live audience.
Step 12
Ask your audience for one thing they liked and one helpful suggestion after your presentation.
Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don't have index cards or a timer—what can I use instead?
Use cut-up paper or sticky notes in place of the 'index cards' for writing each beat, and use your smartphone or a kitchen timer instead of the 'timer' to time one full run.
What if my child freezes or forgets words during the live presentation?
Prevent freezing by rehearsing the 'practice reading the story aloud from your cards while timing one full run with the timer,' writing a single keyword or small picture on each index card, and doing the quick warm-ups (deep breaths and smiling) immediately before presenting.
How can I adapt the activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, choose one main idea, brainstorm three simple events and draw each beat on separate index cards for a 30–60 second story, while older kids can use five events to write a full 1–2 minute story, practice different voice tones and gestures, and seek audience feedback to refine it.
How can we make the performance more special or share it afterward?
Add simple props or a costume during the 'stand where everyone can see you and present' step, illustrate or decorate the index cards, record the performance with a phone, and then share your finished creation on DIY.org to collect likes and suggestions.
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Facts about public speaking for kids
😌 Practicing a short story out loud several times often reduces stage fright and improves recall.
🎤 Public speaking was a key skill in ancient Greece—rhetoric shaped leaders and public life.
🎭 Simple rehearsal techniques like using gestures and pauses can make a short performance feel much stronger.
📚 Storytelling existed long before writing; oral tales were used for passing knowledge across generations.
🧠 When people hear a story, brain areas for listening and visualization light up—stories make ideas memorable.
How do I help my child write and present a short original story to a live audience?
What materials do I need to help my child rehearse and tell a short story live?
What ages is telling an original short story aloud suitable for?
What are the benefits of having a child tell their story to a live audience?
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