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Stage anxiety is common among people, including children. Children may find it more challenging because they have less experience speaking/performing in front of audiences. However, they can conquer their fear and improve their confidence and communication skills with the help of teachers and parents. Here are some tips to overcome stage anxiety and fright. Use these tips in overcoming stage anxiety in your children.

1. Prepare properly

Preparation can help develop confidence in children- the more they prepare, the more confident they will become. So, encourage them to practice/rehearse thoroughly during the preparation time. Also, help them plan everything, like when to pause between the lines, and practice making eye contact with the audience. Watch their performance/presentation and give them feedback to help them make improvements. Your help and support will make them more comfortable and confident on stage. 

2. Change their perspective

If your children get too afraid of going in front of people on stage, try to change their focus on things, such as how this will help them. For example, speaking on stage will help them advance their career or let them share their thoughts with a wider audience. Could it save lives? For instance, if they are telling the harms of certain behaviours and actions. Similarly, if they are presenting their art in the form of painting, dance or music, encourage them to think about how it will help others. This mindset can be extremely helpful when attending the best schools in Nalagarh, where they will get a plethora of opportunities for academic and personal growth.

3. Practice positive self-talk

Thousands of people use positive self-talk or positive affirmation to overcome their fears. You can also encourage your children to use this method to overcome stage fright. Start by telling them to replace their negative sentences, such as “I can’t do this” with “I can do this” and “It is difficult” with “It is challenging, but I will do it”. Also, encourage them to believe in their abilities and give their best on the stage without worrying too much.

4. Embrace the reality

Public speaking is challenging for everyone; even the most experienced artists may make mistakes on stage. So, tell your children it's perfectly okay to make a few mistakes on stage, whether it is a shaky voice or something else. It’s an essential skill to know how to handle a faux-pas moment and carry on with the act. The show must go on!

5. Try calming exercises

Calming exercises such as deep breathing can reduce anxiety to a significant level, as per many reports [1]. And as parents, we must teach them calming exercises to help them overcome stage anxiety. Remember that even the students studying in the best schools in Nalagarh face nervousness before speaking or presenting something on the stage.  So, by teaching children simple relaxing exercises such as pranayama, you can help them fight their stage anxiety.

6. Focus on the content

Encourage them to concentrate on what they are doing rather than on their feelings of anxiety and fear. Anxious children can become overly self-conscious, which makes them lose focus and control. By telling them to focus on their work, you will teach them an essential life skill- how to manage anxiety and give your best. This life skill will help with stage anxiety as well as with their studies and extracurricular activities afterwards.

7. Develop humour

Laughing helps the brain release endorphins, which help in elevating mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Teachers and parents can help students develop humour and make them feel lighthearted and relaxed before public speaking. By teaching them a perfect balance between seriousness and humour, you can help make their journey of public speaking less daunting and enjoyable. 

8. Take a good sleep

Children can feel even more stressed and anxious if they don’t get good sleep the night before the performance. So, ensure they sleep on time and wake up with a fresh mind in the morning. But it is difficult to sleep with a worried mind. However, teaching your child self-discipline, helping them relax by creating a calming environment and limiting their screen time can help them with their sleep.

The conclusion

At last, parents can use many strategies to help children overcome stage anxiety. The techniques we mention here will help your child better manage their feeling and address any problem they face. Also, keep in mind that every child is different; What works for one child may not work for another. However, if you keep motivating them, they will develop confidence and skills that will help them in school and beyond.

References

1. Alireza Maleki, et, al: Effect of breathing exercises on respiratory indices and anxiety level in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized double-blind clinical trial, April 2022.