Your Child Gets Good Marks. So Why Do They Struggle to Speak?
Imagine two children sitting for the same school examination.
Both score well.
Both understand their lessons.
Both complete their homework.
But a week later, the teacher asks:
“Can you explain this topic to the class?”
One child stands up and speaks confidently.
The other knows the answer but says:
“I don’t know.”
Parents often assume the second child needs better English.
Sometimes that’s true.
But often, the deeper issue is communication confidence.
Knowing an answer and confidently expressing that answer are two completely different abilities.
And in today’s world, children need both.
The Marks Are Important. But They Aren’t the Whole Story.
Indian education naturally places a strong emphasis on academic performance.
Children prepare for tests.
They complete assignments.
They learn concepts.
They work towards higher marks.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But ask yourself:
What happens when the exam is over?
Your child still needs to:
- Introduce themselves
- Talk to new people
- Participate in group activities
- Give presentations
- Explain their ideas
- Ask questions
- Share opinions
- Communicate with teachers
- Work in teams
- Participate in interviews
None of these situations come with four multiple-choice options.
They require communication.
The Child Who Has the Answer but Doesn’t Raise Their Hand
This is one of the most common signs parents notice.
You ask your child at home:
“What did you learn today?”
They explain everything.
Then you ask:
“Did you answer in class?”
They say:
“No.”
Why?
Perhaps they’re afraid of being wrong.
Perhaps another student speaks faster.
Perhaps they’re worried about pronunciation.
Perhaps they don’t know how to organise their thoughts.
Or perhaps they simply haven’t had enough practice speaking in front of others.
The good news?
Speaking is a skill.
And skills can be practised.
Confidence Doesn’t Mean Never Feeling Nervous
This is an important distinction.
A confident child can still feel nervous before a presentation.
They may have butterflies in their stomach.
Their hands may feel cold.
Their voice may shake slightly.
Confidence doesn’t mean:
“I’m not scared.”
It means:
“I’m nervous, but I’m going to try.”
That mindset can be developed through repeated speaking experiences.
Why Memorising Speeches Isn’t Enough
Many children can memorise a two-minute speech.
They can stand on stage and repeat it perfectly.
But what happens when someone asks:
“Why do you think that?”
Or:
“Can you give another example?”
Or:
“What would you do differently?”
If the child hasn’t practised spontaneous speaking, they may freeze.
That’s why effective public speaking classes for kids should include more than prepared speeches.
Children should practise:
Impromptu speaking
Thinking and speaking with limited preparation.
Storytelling
Turning ideas into engaging stories.
Opinion sharing
Expressing a viewpoint and supporting it with reasons.
Question handling
Listening to a question and responding thoughtfully.
Presentation skills
Organising and delivering information clearly.
Voice and body language
Using tone, pace, posture and gestures effectively.
What Happens When Children Practise Speaking Every Week?
Something interesting starts happening.
At first:
“I don’t know what to say.”
Then:
“Can I think for a minute?”
Then:
“I have an idea.”
Eventually:
“Can I go first?”
That progression is what parents should look for.
Not perfection.
Progress.
A Simple Example
Ask your child:
“Should children be allowed to use phones at school?”
Don’t tell them what answer you expect.
Give them 30 seconds.
Then ask them to speak for one minute.
After they finish, ask:
“Why?”
Then:
“Can you give me an example?”
Then:
“What would someone who disagrees with you say?”
You have just practised:
- Thinking
- Speaking
- Reasoning
- Listening
- Responding
- Confidence
And you didn’t need a textbook.
Why Online Public Speaking Classes Are Becoming Useful for Busy Indian Families
Today’s children already have packed schedules.
School.
Homework.
Sports.
Music.
Competitions.
Family commitments.
Adding another commute for an extracurricular class isn’t always practical.
Online classes allow children to practise communication from home.
But the quality of interaction matters.
A good online class shouldn’t be:
Teacher talks → Child watches.
It should be:
Teacher asks → Child thinks → Child speaks → Teacher gives feedback → Child improves.
The child should be the active participant.
How Parents Can Recognise a Good Public Speaking Program
Before choosing a class, don’t only ask:
“How much does it cost?”
Ask:
“How much will my child actually speak?”
Also look for:
- Live interaction
- Age-appropriate activities
- Individual feedback
- Storytelling
- Impromptu speaking
- Presentation practice
- Vocabulary development
- Body language
- Voice modulation
- Opinion-based discussions
- Regular progress feedback
The right program should help children become better communicators—not just better at memorising speeches.
Your Child Doesn’t Need Perfect English to Become a Good Speaker
Many Indian parents worry:
“My child’s English isn’t perfect.”
But perfect English is not the starting point for confident communication.
Children need opportunities to speak.
They need to make mistakes.
They need constructive correction.
They need to try again.
If every sentence is interrupted for correction, the child may become more concerned about making mistakes than communicating their idea.
First:
Let them speak.
Then:
Help them improve.
That sequence can make a big difference.
Public Speaking Can Influence More Than School
The benefits extend beyond classroom presentations.
As children grow, communication can become important for:
College interviews.
Scholarship applications.
Competitions.
Leadership opportunities.
Group projects.
Internships.
Job interviews.
Professional presentations.
Networking.
A child doesn’t need to become a professional speaker.
They need to become comfortable expressing themselves.Book a Demo
How Mind Oriented Builds Communication Confidence
At Mind Oriented, children are encouraged to learn through participation.
Our online public speaking sessions can include:
- Storytelling
- Impromptu speaking
- Presentations
- Role play
- Opinion discussions
- Speech delivery
- Voice modulation
- Body language
- Question-and-answer activities
- Confidence-building exercises
The goal isn’t to create a child who sounds rehearsed.
The goal is to help children become comfortable saying:
“This is what I think.”
And then explaining why.Courses
The Most Important Change May Be Very Small
Don’t wait for your child to suddenly become fearless.
Look for smaller changes.
They answer a question without hesitation.
They introduce themselves without hiding behind you.
They speak for an extra 30 seconds.
They volunteer for a presentation.
They ask a teacher a question.
They share an opinion at the dinner table.
These are all signs of growing communication confidence.Public Speaking and Personality Developement
Your Child’s Voice Is a Skill Worth Investing In
Academic knowledge can help your child pass an examination.
But the ability to communicate that knowledge can help them participate in the world around them.
So the next time your child gives you a perfect written answer but struggles to explain it aloud, don’t assume they don’t understand.
They may simply need more opportunities to practise expressing what they already know.
Give them the opportunity.Book a Demo
Give them the practice.
Give them the confidence.Courses
Ready to Help Your Child Speak With Confidence?
Book a FREE Trial Public Speaking Class with Mind Oriented and give your child a safe, engaging environment to practise communication, presentation and confidence.
Mind Oriented
Think. Speak. Express. Grow.Creative Writing
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