Introduction
All children have thoughts that count and with the proper amount of help and support, they can articulate them boldly. One of the most inspiring ways that kids can be encouraged to speak in front of audiences is through TED-Ed. It is the youth and education arm of TED. One of the goals of TED-Ed is to fuel the curiosity of all kids. It has also managed to transform every living room into a stage for kids to be heard.
What is TED-Ed?
TED-Ed, an initiative of TED, has an aim to inspire and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students across the globe. It has initiated an activity known as “TED-Ed Student Talks,” in which it urges students from around the globe to discover, create, and deliver talks similar to those at TED conferences, relating to topics of their choice. It is not an activity of public speaking; it relates to discovering their voice and expressing it effectively.
instrucko’s Method: Applying the Principles of TED-Ed
At instrucko, our Public Speaking and Personality Development Courses strictly function in accordance with the tenets of TED-Ed.
Like TED-Ed, we believe that our lessons must function as good communications, not simple recall. We teach kids what they're going to say, as well as why they're going to say it, and how they're going to say it.
This is how instrucko accomplishes its magic: Instrucko transforms young minds into confident and eloquent speakers of:
Ideation-Transformer of Ideas into Talks
Every effective speech begins with a thought, which is worthy of attention. However, not always may kids be in a position where they have to identify a thought on their own. Our team of professionals, at(instrucko), help kids in this matter by brainstorming, mind mapping, and other ways to assist them in:
• Identify what makes them excited and concerned
• Try to grasp their perspective, which may differ from yours.
• Break down those ideas into talk-worthy topics
Helping the kids tap into the curiosity they already have is, in a way, encouraging them to speak from a place of passion, just like the young speakers at the TED Ed conference.
Structured Storytelling – Messaging That Matters
Good ideas need a good story to make them famous or popular. instrucko has taught children how to think by structuring their thoughts through the use of storytelling patterns such as:
• The "What, Why, How" style: What is your idea? Why is it important? How might it be relevant to another person?
• Examples from personal experience to explain abstract concepts
• Unforgettable openings, strategic pauses, and final conclusions
We teach our students to turn facts into stories and stories into effective messages that resonate-so listeners will hear and remember and identify with the message.
It Helps to Gain Confidence: Shy to On-Stage Performers
We understand that confidence is not an end result of theory but of action. For this, our classes include tasks such as the following weekly public speaking challenges:
• Spontaneous storytelling games
• Spontaneous speech based on fun topics
• Role-play for speaking situations
• Buddy presentations and applause moments to show appreciation for progress
Regular experience with public speaking also helps to remove stage fright, build stage presence, and ensure they speak with joy, rather than fear. By creating a safe, nurturing experience, we make speaking a skill—and a source of pride.
Customised Feedback - The Feeling Of Being Guided
Every speaker is unique-with the same going for training. At instrucko, the response for every child is customized according to learning styles and comfort levels. Whether it is:
• Improvement in Voice Modulation and Eye Contact
• Organizing Arguments Logically
• Or handling nervous energy on camera
They also serve as personal communication coaches for children, working towards enhancing skills over time. They do this to ensure that there is growth happening.
Success Story: From Shy to Spotlight
Initially when 9-year-old Aarav first enrolled in instrucko, it was difficult for him to even introduce himself without freezing. His hands would sweat when he even thought of speaking out in class, and even the roll call seemed intimidating to him! He was termed as a thoughtful-but invisible kid by his family members and friends. But this change happened in just 10 classes of instrucko.
With the help of the Public Speaking & Personality Development teacher of instrucko, Aarav began to work upon confidence-building activities and speech exercises and role-play activities on an individual basis. His teacher then helped him find his area of interest in the topic of "gardening" and construct a speech out of it. In no time, Aarav was speaking in front of his entire class and delivering a 2-minute speech titled "Why Every Kid Should Try Gardening." He ended it with a grin and was treated to a standing ovation by the entire class and teachers! “I used to hide behind mom. Now I speak like I mean it!” proclaims Aarav happily now.
Conclusion
instrucko believes that every single kid has an innate voice in them! A voice that is full of ideas and aspirations, and questions and full of possibility! However, this same voice is muffled and stifled in many kids-not because kids do not have ideas to express themselves but simply because kids do not have anything to do with it and lack the prerequisite confidence to do so! That's when resources like TED-Ed and the Instrucko’s Public Speaking and Personality Development segments come into play! They do not teach kids to speak-they teach kids to realize the importance of their own voices!
