Big Voice, Brave Face: Standing Tall When You Speak

On the first day of kindergarten, Sofia had to stand up and say her name to the whole class. Her heart beat fast and her hands felt shaky — but she took a big breath and said it loud and clear. Everyone clapped! That proud feeling you get after speaking up is what stage presence is all about.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: - Stand tall and feel confident when you speak - Use a big, clear voice so everyone can hear you - Look at the people you are talking to - Slow down and breathe when you feel nervous

Stage presence means the way you look and sound when you are speaking in front of other people. It does NOT mean you have to be on a real stage! You use stage presence when you answer a question in class, tell a story at dinner, or show something cool to your friends. Even very shy people can learn stage presence. It is a skill — like tying your shoes or reading — that gets better every single time you practice.

Before you say a single word, your body is already talking! Here is the Superhero Speaking Pose: 1. Stand with your feet about as wide apart as your shoulders — not too close together, not too far. 2. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides — not crossed, not in your pockets. 3. Hold your head up and look forward, not at your shoes. 4. Take ONE big slow breath before you start. When you stand this way, you feel more confident AND you look more confident to the people listening. Try it right now — stand up where you are and hold the pose for ten seconds!

A big voice is not the same as a loud yelling voice! A big voice is clear, steady, and goes all the way to the back of the room. Two tricks for a big voice: - Imagine talking to the person standing at the very back of the room, even when you are talking to everyone - Speak just a tiny bit slower than feels normal — your words will sound much clearer Practice saying this sentence three times: My name is ___ and my favorite animal is a ___. First whisper it, then say it in your normal voice, then use your Big Voice as if the listener is across a giant playground.

When you look at someone while you talk, it shows them you care about what you are saying. This is called eye contact. Looking at a whole room of people can feel scary! Here is a trick: look at someone's forehead or nose — from a few feet away, it looks exactly like eye contact to them, but it feels much easier for you. Try moving your gaze slowly from one side of the room to the other while you speak, like a friendly lighthouse sweeping its beam across the water.