3-Minute Guru

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Start early to build child's presentation skills

BY SHERRY THOMAS

Having good presentation skills, also known as soft skills, is essential in life.

The earlier we start with our kids, the better.  Many universities are finally beginning to get it but often,

this is the tail chasing the dog as the dog has long left the gate, grown older, become set in his ways and

moved on. The longer it takes us to understand that, while a solid education is important, so is the "package" that  houses that knowledge.
 
While better late than never, college is still a bit late to begin teaching posture, eye contact, proper handshakes, the power of entering a room, and interviewing skills.  Old habits are hard to break and trying to teach a college grad to finally stand up straight is quite the challenge.   I know. I do this every week for a living.

What is the best age to begin soft skills training? 

In schools, it’s once they enter preschool and kindergarten.  After all, they are now in a structured educational environment where many other things are being taught.  Just add soft skills to the mix.  At home, it should begin from the moment your child begins to walk and talk and understand instruction.  It isn’t difficult.  It’s just repetition. Developing presentation skills and boosting confidence are no different from teaching text book fundamentals. 
 
It amazes me when I see a child who clearly understands how to do a "high five," which is adorable (yes, I

taught my kids the high five, as well), but at the same time is not being taught how to reach out to adults in a proper way with a proper handshake.  If a child can learn a high five, they can begin learning a confident, proper hello as well.
 
Examples:

• The handshake. Teach your child to stop, look an adult in the eye, smile and shake hands.

• Greetings.  Practice with your child how to repeat a person's name when they meet them and oh, and by the way, smile when doing it.

• Posture.  Show your child how to hold back his/her shoulders and explain why it is so important, how we look so much nicer when we stand tall, and how those who stand proudly get graded higher, get better grades and get chosen to lead more projects.

These are but a few of the tools with which we need to arm our kids, but what a great start this is!  Your

child will slowly develop the "it" factor and over time, the "it" factor will become a natural part of who

they are.