March 2024 Holidays! Let it be a week of rest, fun, and development!
School holidays, which are sometimes seen as a respite from the demanding annual academic schedule and sometimes “rut” of school life, are vital to kids’ overall development. Whether they are longer breaks like summer (in Singapore, that would be June holidays) and winter (in Singapore, that would be November/ December holidays) holidays, or shorter breaks like spring (March holidays) or fall (i.e. September holidays) break, these breaks have many advantages that go beyond just providing a break from studying. These are crucial times that support kids’ emotional, physical, and social health as well as their personal development in ways that the regimented classroom setting sometimes is unable to.
Holidays offer a break, allowing students to relax, recharge, and pick up where they left off academically. Students’ stress levels are lowered by this break from the academic grind, which increases their productivity and attentiveness in the classroom.
Students can spend more time with friends and family during these breaks, fortifying relationships and making enduring memories. During these times, family vacations, celebrations, and get-togethers help students feel safe and secure. Additionally, engaging with a varied range of individuals outside of the classroom fosters the growth of social skills, empathy, and an awareness of other viewpoints.
Taking time off during the holidays allows pupils to spend more time outside and in the great outdoors. Frequent exercise promotes children’s and adolescents’ physical health and is essential for their healthy development. For instance, going for a jog in the neighbourhood park allows time to be spent around nature, which lowers stress, elevates mood, and improves cognitive performance.
Additionally, holidays offer special chances to learn outside of the conventional classroom setting; the free time that comes with the holidays offers chances to learn valuable life lessons that are not usually covered in a classroom.
Take this opportunity to pick up or explore a new skill before school resumes!
With the many options out there, it may be difficult to find a suitable activity or skill that your child would enjoy and be motivated to explore. This March break – take the opportunity to introduce your child to something new!
Consider Public Speaking! “Can my child learn public speaking at home?” is a question that may seem paradoxical, but the truth is that public speaking can BEGIN in a private setting at home (it’s all about getting the interest piqued)! With a little guidance and some simple activities, your child can begin forming new public speaking habits.
Creativity + Logic = Victory!
We begin by introducing the material; the “boring” approach would entail having your youngster spend the entire day preparing presentations. Starting with determining your child’s interest centers is a superior approach! In our public speaking classes, we begin by investigating speech content-crafting from a place of interest or passion. We think a communicator’s confidence will come through on stage if they are speaking on a subject they are knowledgeable and at ease with.
Start your child off with basic content-building activities by asking them to critically evaluate the material they are taking in. Ask them to describe a game they like to play, for instance, and discuss any special moments (like what was a particularly memorable gaming experience), feelings (like how did you feel when you lost), or values (like what kind of values did you gain?). Encourage them to journal about this throughout the upcoming holiday week, and in return, share your responses to the same prompt regarding the things you did (such as watching TV or movies).
*** Your child’s reply when you ask your child what he/ she is passionate about (games, social media etc.) ***
Watch and Learn!
As communicators, we frequently attempt to identify and implement the speaking behaviors that are most effective as pillars of confidence when giving speeches. Early exposure to technology and social media can help young learners begin this process of learning. The goal is to transform the content they are ingesting into an opportunity for learning.
Selecting videos that serve as excellent models of public speaking is currently a better option when it comes to public speaking! Politicians, communicators, and publicly accessible internet videos that try to pique viewers’ interest can all exhibit this. Participate in a reflection exercise about what works (and what didn’t for the speakers) while they watch these presenters. This could take the shape of body language, content creation, or general audience interaction!
***We have plenty of student speeches (Grand Finalists of our National Public Speaking Competition (Primary and Secondary categories)) on our YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@PublicSpeakingAcademyPteLtd
If you’re looking for a structured holiday program, that has sparked lots of students in their public speaking journey, that is personally taught by Singapore’s very own World Champion of Public Speaking, then check out our 2-day S’Peak Performance Kids School Holiday Courses/ Program!
We conduct our 2-day holiday program during the June school holiday period & the year-end (Nov/ Dec) school holiday period.
The S’Peak Performance Programme is a 2-day intensive masterclass on public speaking, tailored for young communicators looking for a deep-dive into the knowledge, techniques, and tips for public speaking. The Public Speaking Academy has extracted 6 core areas from our extensive public speaking syllabus for a focused and tailored programme for your child (e.g., Interview Skills, Story-Telling, Stage Confidence). The S’Peak Performance Programme is helmed personally by Master Trainer and World Champion of Public Speaking 2016, Darren Tay (assisted by Senior Trainer). We have the program page on our website too (for more info) – https://www.publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/school-holiday-public-speaking-program-for-children