Perform your first monologue
Write and perform your first short monologue aloud, practice voice expression and simple gestures, then record or present it to family or classmates.
Step-by-step guide to perform your first monologue
Step 1
Pick one simple idea for your monologue like a favorite toy a silly secret or a small adventure.
Step 2
Choose how long your monologue will be about 30 to 60 seconds.
Step 3
Write one strong opening sentence that grabs attention.
Step 4
Write two to four sentences that show what happened or how you feel about the idea.
Step 5
Write one clear ending sentence that wraps up your story or feeling.
Step 6
Next to each line mark one emotion word and one simple gesture to match it.
Step 7
Stand in front of a mirror and read one line aloud slowly while watching your face.
Step 8
Practice the whole monologue aloud using the gestures and voice changes you marked.
Step 9
Time your performance and shorten or add words so it fits your chosen length.
Step 10
Perform the monologue live for a family member or a classmate.
Step 11
Ask someone to record your monologue or record it yourself if you want to save it.
Step 12
Share your finished monologue 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!?
If we don't have a mirror or a camera, what can we use instead to follow the 'Stand in front of a mirror' and 'Ask someone to record' steps?
Use the front-facing camera on a smartphone or tablet as a mirror for the 'Stand in front of a mirror' step and use that same device or a parent's phone to 'Ask someone to record your monologue' and to time your performance.
What should we do if the child keeps rushing, forgets gestures, or goes over the 30–60 second length?
Put the emotion word and simple gesture on sticky notes next to each line as instructed in 'Next to each line mark one emotion word and one simple gesture', practice each line slowly in front of the mirror while timing it, and then 'Time your performance and shorten or add words' to fit the chosen length.
How can this monologue activity be adapted for younger or older kids?
For younger children make the monologue 15–30 seconds with one strong opening and two very short lines delivered to a stuffed animal audience, and for older kids extend to 60–90 seconds with three to five detail sentences, stronger voice changes when you 'Practice the whole monologue aloud', and a recorded version to share.
How can we extend or personalize the monologue beyond the basic instructions?
Add a small prop or costume that matches your chosen idea, create simple background sounds or music while you 'Practice the whole monologue aloud', record multiple takes to pick the best one, and then 'Share your finished monologue on DIY.org' to show your improvement.
Watch videos on how to perform your first monologue
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Facts about public speaking and drama for kids
🧠 Adding simple gestures while speaking can improve both your memory and your audience's understanding.
🌟 Hamlet's "To be or not to be" is one of the most famous monologues and is studied by actors worldwide.
📱 Recording a rehearsal on a phone is a quick way to spot voice habits, pacing issues, and small gestures to fix.
🎤 Saying your lines out loud (retrieval practice) helps you remember them better than silently reading.
🎭 The word "monologue" comes from the Greek monos (alone) + logos (speech) — a speech by one person.
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