💥 Why I Made Public Speaking Mandatory in Our Homeschool—And Why Every Child Should Learn It 💥

We live in a world where kids communicate constantly—but say less and less.

Texts. Emojis. Half-spelled words.

▶️ When communication is truncated, so is thinking.

How can a child form a cohesive, critical thought if their world is shaped by fragments?

So I made public speaking mandatory.

Not because I wanted performers—

But because I wanted our kids to be presenters of their thoughts: calm, confident, and clear.

When looking for options, I chose Gavel Club over a speech team. Most teams focus on perfecting one speech. But real life doesn’t hand you a script.

So I started a Gavel Club—Junior Toastmasters.

It gave our kids the chance to repeatedly practice not only giving speeches, but also rotating through key roles:

Toastmaster (host)

Timer

Grammarian

Evaluator

They also practiced impromptu speaking through Table Topics, learning to think critically and speak under pressure.

Week after week, they experienced the value of showing up and being heard.

And this started in elementary school.

One of the best reasons to start young?

Kids haven’t developed their inner critic yet.

Adults often fear public speaking because they’ve learned to judge themselves through imagined critics. But kids raised in safe environments—where they’re encouraged to speak and stumble—grow up unafraid of being seen.

▶️ Confidence isn’t something you flip on at 18.

It’s built, little by little, through repetition.

When I read John Bowe’s "I Have Something to Say," I felt deeply affirmed.

Bowe explores the history of rhetoric and how speaking isn’t just about communication—it’s about:

💡 Thinking clearly. Listening deeply. Building community.

He also highlights the link between speaking and mental health:

People who can express themselves feel less isolated. They feel heard—by others and themselves.

And that kind of confidence leads to deeper relationships and fuller lives.

You don’t need to homeschool to do this. Here are a few easy ways to start:

- Join or start a Gavel Club

- Practice “table topics” at dinner—1-minute answers to surprise prompts

- Invite kids to present book reports or trip recaps

- Model intentional speaking and listening

▶️ If we wait until kids “need” confidence, it might be too late.

But if we build it early—through repetition, structure, and support—they’ll grow up knowing their thoughts matter.

Public speaking isn’t just a skill.

It’s a tool for life.

Let’s raise kids who don’t just have something to say—but know how to say it with clarity, courage, and care.

If you’ve tried this with your kids—or want to—let’s connect. I’d love to hear your story.