Your First Speech
Plan, write, and practice your first short speech: choose a topic, organize key points, rehearse aloud, and present confidently to family or classmates.
Step-by-step guide to give your first speech
Step 1
Think of one topic you care about and write the topic at the top of your paper.
Step 2
Decide who you will talk to (family or classmates) and write that audience down.
Step 3
Choose how long you want your speech to be (for example 30 to 90 seconds) and write the time goal.
Step 4
Brainstorm three main ideas about your topic and write each idea as a short phrase.
Step 5
Put your three ideas in the order you will talk about them and number them 1 2 3 on your paper.
Step 6
Write one clear sentence for idea number 1.
Step 7
Write one clear sentence for idea number 2.
Step 8
Write one clear sentence for idea number 3.
Step 9
Write a short opening sentence to grab attention.
Step 10
Write a short closing sentence to finish strong.
Step 11
Copy your opening sentence your three idea sentences and your closing sentence onto index cards using big letters.
Step 12
Practice your speech aloud while timing yourself and speak slowly so you can stay inside your time goal.
Step 13
Practice once more using one or two natural hand gestures and pretend to make eye contact with your audience.
Step 14
Present your speech to your family or classmates with a smile and confidence.
Step 15
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!?
What can I use if I don't have index cards for copying my opening, three idea sentences, and closing sentence?
If you don't have index cards, cut printer paper into squares, use sticky notes, or write the opening sentence, three idea sentences, and closing sentence in large letters on a single sheet or in a notes app to copy later.
What should I do if my timed practice doesn't fit the 30–90 second goal or I keep forgetting parts of the speech?
If your practice goes over or you forget parts, shorten or combine your three idea sentences, write just the cue words on the index cards, and practice aloud with a timer while speaking slowly to stay inside your time goal.
How can I adapt the activity for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger kids, use one main idea and draw pictures on the paper or index cards for the opening, idea, and closing sentences, while older kids can add two supporting facts per idea and practice natural hand gestures and eye contact.
How can we extend or personalize the speech beyond the basic instructions?
Make simple visuals or a one-page poster for each numbered idea, practice your speech with a prop and a smile, record the presentation on a phone, and then share the video on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to give your first speech
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Facts about public speaking for kids
✍️ The 'rule of three' (a clear opener, 2–3 main points, and a strong close) helps audiences remember your message.
🧠 Aristotle identified three persuasive appeals: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic).
🎙️ Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' included famous improvised lines that helped make it legendary.
🎤 Surveys show about three-quarters of people feel nervous speaking in public — it's one of the most common fears.
🕒 The average TED Talk is 18 minutes long, a popular model for short, practiced speeches.
How do I help my child plan, write, and practice their first short speech?
What materials do we need to prepare a child's first speech?
What ages is giving a first short speech suitable for?
What are the benefits of helping a child give their first speech?
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