Dear Super Speak families,
Have you ever wondered how often children have something valuable to say but choose to keep it to themselves?
Perhaps they know the answer in class but don’t put their hand up. They have an idea during a group discussion but let someone else speak first. Or they know exactly what they want to say, yet struggle to find the words when the moment arrives.
These moments are easy to overlook. But they raise an important question: How much of what a child knows ever gets shared?
Communicating what we know, think and feel is a skill in its own right, and it deserves a real place in a child’s education. It requires children to organise their thoughts, find the right words, speak clearly and feel comfortable sharing their ideas with others. Like any skill, these abilities develop with practice.
This isn’t simply about getting children to speak more. Some need encouragement to find their voice, while others need guidance to slow down, organise their thoughts and communicate with greater clarity. The goal is to help every child become a more capable communicator, building on their individual strengths.
Confidence doesn’t always come before communication. Often, it grows because children have the opportunity to communicate.
Each time a child shares an idea, speaks to a group or finds the words they were searching for, they gain experience they can draw on next time. Gradually, what once took courage becomes something they feel increasingly comfortable doing.
At Super Speak, this is at the heart of what we do. In our classes, children might deliver a short impromptu talk, perform a short scene with a partner or give feedback on a classmate’s presentation. Each activity provides an opportunity to practise thinking on their feet, expressing ideas clearly and speaking with confidence. These small, regular experiences help children develop skills they can use well beyond our classrooms.
There is also something you can try at home. Ask your child, “Was there a moment today when you had an idea or question but didn’t share it?” And when they are searching for the right words, give them a few extra seconds before stepping in. Sometimes, that little pause is where the thinking happens.
We can’t know every situation our children will face as they grow up. But we can help prepare them to meet those situations with clear thinking, the ability to express themselves and more confidence to use their voice.
And sometimes, that preparation begins with something as simple as a child who once held back choosing to put their hand up and speak.
Thank you for trusting us to be part of your child’s journey.
Warm regards,
Vicki Skyring
Principal, Super Speak